Sharapova healed up and cruises through the next round
1st June 2006
Sharapova wins againMaria Sharapova’s ankle held up and just in time for her second-round match versus Czech Iveta Benesova. She beat Benesova in only two sets, and the two rain breaks did not interrupt her game at all. She won with 6-4 and 6-1.
Sharapova’s ankle was a topic of discussion in the past week. At first, it was unclear whether she could play Roland Garros at all, as she injured her ankle last week during training, and Sharapova requested her match to be rescheduled. The tournament organizers, however, refused. As a result, she was forced to play Sunday, and she lashed out in her post-match interview at the French Open Tournament organisers.
Today, however, everything seemed to be fine, and she could play her match, although not yet fully fit.
“I physically feel a lot fitter than I was here last year,” Sharapova said.
“I feel like my ball is heavier. That doesn’t mean that it is bigger. I think it just — I feel like it has a little more juice. I think that has to do with me changing rackets at the beginning of the year.
“It’s hard to say when you’ve only played two matches, but definitely in practice I feel stronger. I feel physically fitter than I did last year for sure.”
Her last match before the French Open dates back from April when she won Indian Wells and before that had great successes at the Australian Open and Miami. She did not prepare on one of the many gravel tournaments that act like warm up tournaments for Roland Garros.
Sharapova said that she feels she can grab the title in Paris and that it was the match on Sunday that gave her a confidence booster, overcoming the physical challenge.
“It is never easy, but you just have to adjust and be patient,” she said.
“It (the ankle) was a lot better. I did not feel I was moving great, still. Pain wise it was a lot better.”
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