Sports Fanatic

Maria has cruised on the 1st round defeating Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3, 6-0 in Tuesday evening’s 73-minute opener on tennis’ biggest stage.

Quoted from the USOpen.org official website, "Sharapova, not averse to hitting the double faults since returning from a serious shoulder injury that kept her out of last year’s tournament, needn’t have worried.

The 2006 champion looked assured, contributing a measly four doubles, to ease past Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3, 6-0 in Tuesday evening’s 73-minute opener on tennis’ biggest stage. Her return game was on, there were numerous forays to the net – with success – and that dogged determination is still around. Sure Pironkova is barely ranked inside the top 100, but the Bulgarian, trying to carry on where the Maleeva sisters left off, ousted Williams in the first round of the Australian Open three years ago.

"I played a tricky opponent who doesn't give you much rhythm," Sharapova said. ``It was just really important to stay on top of her and do the right things from the beginning. I thought I had a little bit of a slow start, but once I got going, I was able to do a good job of maintaining.''

Both players held serve comfortably through four games before Sharapova, who made a late summer surge to earn a seeding of 29th, broke. The first Sharapova double fault surfaced in the ensuing game, which produced multiple deuces. Sharapova managed to hold and pumped her first registering a second break for 5-2.

What a seventh game it was.

Sharapova drew gasps launching a crunching backhand winner down the line and later showed good touch at the net on a backhand volley. Pironkova got the ball back, simply allowing Sharapova to uncork a swinging overhead that pleased the crowd further.

Sharapova dropping serve at 5-2 turned out to be a brief respite for Pironkova. Sharapova crunched a return to claim the opening set, and another punishing return gave the Russian a break for 2-0 in the second.

By this time Pironkova was out of it, her head down and body language poor. Sharapova didn’t relent, breaking again for 4-0 and starting the fifth game with a nice stretch volley. She won 15 of 20 points at the net overall.

"I'm certainly not going to be hitting, retrieving or hitting five volleys at the net," Sharapova said. ``If I am, then I'm doing something wrong. Then my approach shot wasn't good enough. But I certainly want to go up there as much as I can."

Sharapova moved a step closer to meeting fellow Russian Elena Dementieva, the fourth seed. They’re scheduled to lock horns in the third round.

That has night match written all over it, and expect it to be a little closer."

Maria will be facing American Christina McHale on the 2nd round and is bound to meet compatriot Elena Dementieva on the 3rd round.

You can also watch the highlight of their play on the USOpen.org Official Website.