Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open was Maria Sharapova’s first appearance at the Premier Mandatory event, as well as her first tournament since pulling out of Indian Wells in March, and it was cut short by Lucie Safarova.
Safarova, who beat world number two Caroline Wozniacki in Stuttgart last month, charged into a 4-0 lead in the first set, and even though Sharapova leveled at 4-4, Safarova took the next two games and won the set. The second set went with serve until Safarova took one break and it was all she needed to win the set and match. Final score: 6-4 6-3.
The opening-round meeting of Sharapova and Safarova in Madrid was also their first career meeting.
Sharapova’s first tournament on clay this season didn’t start well, but the Russian is heading to Strasbourg to get more practice on clay before Roland Garros. (photo: sr_cranks)
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I think this loss is just a reflexion of the long time she spent away from the tournements (since Indian Wells). Hopefully she will be in good shape for Roland Garros! 🙂
Bianca, that’s right, but also clay is not Maria’s favorite surface.
I agree with you, Marija… For the last 3 years Maria had to struggle a LOT to past the early rounds of Roland Garros!
But i’m an optimistic :)… LoL