Sharapova Survives Scare at Bausch & Lomb Championships
It wasn’t pretty and it certainly wasn’t short but Maria Sharapova managed to eke through a tough third round at the Bausch & Lomb Championships against Anabel Medina Garrigues.
Three set and three and a half hours later, Sharapova had survived a clay court test. It was just the thing she had been looking for – and probably needing – but it almost had a different outcome than she wanted.
Sharapova won the first set 7-6(3), lost the second 5-7 and then won the third 7-6(1). A lot of close sets for something that could have had the same outcome in less time…obviously. A win can always come quicker, better and easier.
Sharapova is the top-ranked player left in the tournament. Amelie Mauresmo is through to the quarterfinals after a hairy 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) three-setter. I’d forgotten Mauresmo was still playing on the courts; she’s been utterly non-existant for the past couple years.
And Lindsay Davenport is through to the quarterfinals in a three-set match as well, albeit a little easier one (6-4, 3-6, 6-4). Evidently taking the game the distance was the order of business at Amelia Island.
