Dementieva, Sharapova advance to second round on Day 1 in Stanford

Monday at the Bank of West Classic was a good day for a champion and other seeds, as Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and two other seeds all advanced to the second round of the $700,000 event in Stanford, CA, USA.

Sharapova was solid in her match against opponent Ai Sugiyama, as she won the first set, lost the second in a tiebreak, and won the third with a breadstick score. The final score was 64 67(6) 61.

"I had so many chances to close it out in the second set and I didn't, but I came out and played a really good third set," Sharapova said. "I didn't do too many things wrong in the second set. She really stepped it up and I couldn't raise my level. But in the third I was playing steady and did all the right things. I'm feeling really good. I could have gone a few more sets."

Dementieva, the No. 3 seed, wasn't challenged by Anne Keothavong, and easily won 61 64.

The other two seeded winners were No. 5 seed Nadia Petrova, who battled against Bethanie Mattek-Sands to win 63 36 63; and No. 7 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who demolished Sorana Cirstea with a score of 60 61.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Singles - First Round

(3) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Anne Keothavong (GBR) 61 64

(5) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 63 36 63

(7) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 60 61

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 60 75

Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 64 67(6) 61

Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 61 60