Maria Sharapova cruises into 3rd round; beats Anastasia Rodionova – Western & Southern Open 2011
Moving on with round 2 of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio, Maria Sharapova, world No.7, cruised into the 3rd round winning over Anastasia Rodionova. The two played at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre
on the hard circuit for 71 minutes before the Russian took an easy win 6-1, 6-3.
Formerly the top ranked tennis pro, Sharapova is gradually falling down the order. However, the Russian still has the capability to climb back up the ladder. Known for strong and accurate ground-play, the 24-year-old has been working
more on her net-play and forehands rather than overpowering her serve and backhands.
Aged 29, Rodionova has faced the former world No.1 4 times including the Cincinnati fixture. Playing more on fast surfaces, the Austrian has been a stronger competitor in her early ages, however, that faded away as the years passed
by. Trying to maintain her position, Rodionova finally fell to the sensational Sharapova in the 2nd round of the Cincinnati Open losing in straight sets.
Kicking off with the first game, Rodionova served first to open the set. Breaking the Austrian in the opener, Sharapova took the lead winning the following game as well. The Russian played excellence when she broke the 29-year-old
once again in game 3 to lead 3-0.
Leading on further to 4-0, Rodionova finally broke the silence but that was the last she could do for the first set. Winning game 6 and 7, Sharapova blistered the Austrian world No.113 taking away the set 6-1 and onto the 2nd.
Sharapova continued with opening the second set. Winning the first game, the Russian world No.7 broke the Austrian straight away to lead 2-0. The next 4 games came with back-to-back breakpoints for the two. Winning 2 out of the
four, Sharapova led the game 4-2 after game 6.
Using her signature reverse forehand, the 24-year-old mustered another win to further increase her lead and closed up on her match win. Rodionova made a final attempt on the win but eventually lost to the remarkable former world
No.1 6-3.
The final scores read 6-1, 6-3 with Sharapova leading towards the third round of the Cincinnati Open 2011. The 29-year-old was no match for the Russian successor; however, the 24-year-old might not get away easily in the next round
as she is predicted to play the world No.15, Svetlana Kuznetsova, should the latter win her 2nd round match against Petra Cetkovska.
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