China Open 2010: Tuesday Highlights - Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray advance – Maria Sharapova sent packing
The top seed Serbian, Novak Djokovic along with Andy Murray advanced to the second round of 2010 China Open on Tuesday, restoring some order to a section riddled with upsets as Maria Sharapova from the women’s side was also sent packing.
The World No. 2 and last year’s winner Djokovic proved too good for his Chinese foe, Gong Mao-Xin, claiming a two setter victory in less than an hour at the Olympic Green Tennis Centre. The final match score was 6-1, 6-3.
The twenty three year old Serbian pummelled local favourite Mao Xin from the backcourt and broke his serve on four occasions. Gong was playing in just the second ATP championship of his career.
"It feels great to be back at a court where I have had a lot of success in the last couple of years. I am hoping that I can raise the level in the next match,” said Novak, who had earlier won the China Open last season.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray, who was playing his first tournament since a disappointing third round loss at the 2010 United States Open, fired a total of ten aces to get past Paul-Henri Mathieu, the qualifier from France, in two sets. The final score remained
6-2, 6-3.
The twenty three year old Scott, who is seeded number two in Beijing, seemed satisfied with his performance but still admitted that his health and fitness were not perfect. "It was a good first round. I started the clash good and did not really give him
any chances. I have been quite ill the last week. I started feeling better today, but I have not practised that much on the court. I am a little bit stiff and sore,” said the world number four.
In other action on men’s side, Robin Soderling of Sweden bounced back from behind to triumph in three sets over Tommy Robredo of Spain whereas Nikolay Davydenko also breezed comfortably. This indicates that the top four seeds are all set to reach the later
rounds in Beijing.
However, the next three seeds namely Mikhail Youzhny, Fernando Verdasco and Tomas Berdych have bundled out of the championship, lessening their chances of qualifying for the year ending Barclays ATP World Tour event in London.
On the women’s side, Maria Sharapova, the twelve seed Russian who is also a three time major champion, fell to her compatriot fellow, Elena Vesnina in the second round. The match score was 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Maria, who had earlier struggled to triumph in her opening clash also, fell behind early in the first set and never returned, clawing her way into a tiebreak just to lose it somewhat meekly. In the following set, her game looked even more out of touch.
Later, while commenting on her opponent’s game, the Russian Sharapova said, "She was really aggressive, she hit the ball really deep today and really consistently as well. That kind of kept me on the defence, and I was never really able to step in and do
things that I do well.”
Moreover, Elena Dementieva, the seventh seed contender survived a three set fight with the forty year old, Kimiko Date Krumm from Japan to progress whereas the fifth seed, Francesca Schiavone of Italy and Li Na also won their respective matches.
The top seed, Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark will begin her tournament’s campaign on Wednesday versus Sara Errani of Italy. The Dane needs only two victories in Beijing to earn the World No. 1 position in the WTA list.
Tags: