Maria Sharapova dumps Silvia Soler-Espinosa in round one - Fed Cup WG II 2012
World number three, Maria Sharapova, bamboozled the Spanish contestant, Silvia Soler-Espinosa, in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 to help Russia build up a 2-0 lead in the Fed Cup World Group II tie against Team Spain.
Both contestants locked horns for the first time in their professional careers on 4th February. Sharapova was nervous at the start as she stated in the post-match interview, “I was a bit nervous before
the beginning of the match as I failed to show my best tennis in my previous Fed Cup appearance in Moscow.”
Earlier Svetlana Kuznetsova had dumped her opponent, Carlo Suarez Navarro, in straight sets 6-3, 6-1. It was a good start from the strong Russian squad, as they looked to white-wash the Spanish rivals. Kuznetsova stated in
a post-match interview, “From the score line, the match looked easy but in fact it was a bit difficult.” So, there is a chance of clean sweep but it might not be as easy as it looks like.
Sharapova started off the set with a successful serve break but unfortunately for her, the lead was cut short in the next game with a successful serve break from Espinosa. Sharapova broke serve once again in the third game
to take the lead and this time she imposed greater pressure with a successful serve hold in the following game.
Another breakthrough in the fifth game eased Sharapova to a majestic lead, which was practically impossible to cut down, especially with the Russian on top of her game in the recent past. No more breakpoints in the following
games were seen and the opening set ended in quick succession with a comprehensive performance from the Russian.
Different racquet in the second set didn’t alter luck for the Spaniard as her serve was broken in the first game. Sharapova cruised past her opponent sparing just a single game and securing three breakthroughs to round off
the match proceedings in her favour. She was delighted to perform well in the Fed Cup after such a long time and stated, “It was very important to stay concentrated, to believe and prove that my tennis is better and to win the match. Luckily, I managed to
do all that and now I’m really satisfied with my performance.”
Spain needs to comeback from behind in order to secure some respect. Such results were obvious for the bleak Team Spain but there might be a chance that a new day brings new luck for them and they are able to turn the tables
on their opponents.
Tags: