Sharapova wins two matches in one day; top seed ousted in straight sets on Day 4 in Birmingham

Maria Sharapova had a tough schedule today, as she had to finish a match that was postponed yesterday due to rain, and start a new one, but she managed to close them both out with ease, and now she has booked herself a spot in the quarterfinals of the AEGON Classic.

The Russian first defeated Alexa Glatch with a score of 63 64, then No. 7 seed Francesca Schiavone, 61 63.

"I'm just not serving full out as I did before the injury," she said. "I don't want to come out after not playing for so long hitting a really big serve. It gives me a chance to construct points.

"I am just going to take it tournament by tournament and match by match. I just want to get the (right) percentage of first serves in.

"I don't know when I am going to be at the level I was, or when I will be better. It may take time."

The top seed in Birmingham, Jie Zheng, wasn't able to advance, as she was ousted in two tough sets by No. 13 seed Magdalena Rybarikova, 76(10) 64, after winning her second round match on the same day to Melanie South, 63 61. Rybarikova also played another match before winning to the No. 1 seed, beating qualifier Chanelle Scheepers, 67(8) 61 63.

No. 3 seed Aleksandra Wozniak was also stunned on Thursday, as she fell to No. 16 seed Melinda Czink in three thrilling sets, 67(7) 75 75.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Singles - Third Round

(13) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. (1) Zheng Jie (CHN) 76(10) 64

(16) Melinda Czink (HUN) d. (3) Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 67(7) 75 75

(4) Li Na (CHN) d. (15) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 75 64

Sania Mirza (IND) d. (5) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 76(3) 36 62

Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (7) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 61 63

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (14) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 61 64

Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 76(3) 63

Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. (WC) Naomi Cavaday (GBR) 64 62

Singles - Second Round

(1) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Melanie South (GBR) 63 61

(4) Li Na (CHN) d. Jarmila Groth (SVK) 64 26 61
(5) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (WC) Elena Baltacha (GBR)67(1) 63 76(3)

(7) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 61 61

Julia Goerges (GER) d. (8) Sara Errani (ITA) 64 57 75

(13) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. (Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)67(8) 61 63

(14) Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (Q) Lilia Osterloh (USA) 64 62

(15) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 76(12) 36 62

(16) Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 62 63

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (LL) Michaella Krajicek (NED) 62 64

Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Alexa Glatch (USA) 63 64

Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 63 75