Maria Sharapova wasn’t strong enough to pass her third obstacle at the Warsaw Open. Ukraine’s Alona Bondarenko defeated the Russian in the quarterfinals of the event.
Sharapova was victories in the first two matches of her singles comeback, but fell to the eighth-seeded Bondarenko 6-2 6-2, which we can’t say we weren’t prepared for.
It’s interesting to read Bondarenko’s opinion about Sharapova’s form after the nine-month injury layoff.
“I have played her (Sharapova) twice before her injury and I thought the match would be harder,” the world No.39 said. “She makes more mistakes than before the injury… her serve was a little slower.”
Despite losing, Sharapova is happy with her achievement at the Warsaw Open, and believes that she had the best preparation for the upcoming French Open. However, the current world No.126 is keeping her expectations low. (source: Reuters, photos: Ralf Reinecke)
Go Maria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know about you guys, but I personally think Maria did great. You have to remember she hasn’t played in almost a year and she hasn’t played that many matches yet to be competing against top players yet. Hopefully Maria can learn from playing against Bondarenko, I don’t think she remember what it feels playing against a top player.
Good luck, Maria.
Teerin, I agree. Two straight victories (including one in a long three-setter) are a great result for someone who was out for so long.