Justine Henin-Hardenne from Belgium hits a forehand during her first round match against Iveta Benesova from the Czech Republic at the German Open in Berlin, Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The International Womens Tennis Championships in Berlin are held from May 2 - to May 8, 2005.
Photo: AP
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Sharapova to Have Real Try-Out
The Russian top seed and Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova progressed to the quarter final, having crushed out China’s Shuai Peng at the German Open tennis tournament in Berlin May 5, 2005. Elena Bovina and Nadezhda Petrova of Russia advanced to the quarters as well.
Each victory in Berlin makes Sharapova closer to the world number one in tennis. If Maria wins on clay this week, she will overtake today’s leader Lindsay Davenport.
Sharapova easily advanced to the quarter final. She required just 57 minutes to knock out Shuai Peng, apparently too weak for the equal fight.
After the match Sharapova said she feels fine and easy, though she has had no real try-out at the tournament yet.
She will get it in the next match. Maria will face former world number one Justine Henin-Hardenne from Belgium en route to the semifinals. Henin-Hardenne won from Kveta Peschke. Justine was not especially brilliant in the match, having serious problems at the start, but then she was no her feet again.
No doubt, Henin-Hardenne could be named the favorite of the Berlin tournament. The slow clay fits better sturdy Justine than Maria, who has never won the clay tournaments.
One more former number one from Belgium, Kim Clijsters had to retire from the German Open after being troubled by a right leg injury. The doctors suspect injury of knee ligaments. If the diagnosis is confirmed Clijsters may miss Roland Garros.
Apart from Maria Sharapova, two more Russian players progressed to the quarters. Elena Bovina ousted U.S. Meghann Shaughnessy and Nadazhda Petrova saw off French Mary Pierce.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 06, 2005
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