Sharapova dispatches Rolle at DFS Classic
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-15 09:58
BIRMINGHAM, England - Maria Sharapova defeated American
Ahsha Rolle 6-4, 6-2 Wednesday in the DFS Classic, a grass-court warmup for
Wimbledon.
Russia's Maria Sharapova serves during her
second round tennis match against Ahsha Rolle of the U.S.A. at the
Birmingham Classic women's tennis tournament in Birmingham, England,
Wednesday June 14, 2006.[AP] |
Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, completed the match on a slick
surface after an 80-minute rain delay. Sharapova, who has been hampered by an
ankle injury, adjusted to the surface.
"In your first match (on grass) you never know how you will be," Sharapova
said. "It takes a few matches, and it was difficult to assess my performance
because of the way she plays."
Rolle, who used her serve-and-volley game, double-faulted twice to help the
defending champion break serve in the first set and lead 5-3 before rain halted
play. After resumption, Sharapova easily closed out the first set and cruised in
the second.
On Thursday, Sharapova will plays 13th-seeded Li Na of China, who defeated
Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, 7-6 (9), 6-3.
Earlier, Indian teenager Sania Mirza beat Shenay Perry of the United States
7-5, 6-7, 6-3. She'll face American Meilen Tu in the third
round.
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