World number four Maria Sharapova advanced to the second round of Roland Garros with a shaky 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 win yesterday over American Mashona Washington.
Sharapova has been trying to recover from a sprained ankle for the last several months and had no match time on clay before this week. She tried appealing for a later start, but the French Tennis Federation denied her request.
“I asked if I could play later. The answer was, ‘You’re playing Sunday, fourth match,’” the fourth-seeded Sharapova said.
“How did it make me feel? Well, it doesn’t make you feel great when you know that the French federation, all they’re thinking about is selling tickets, making money and about their players. I mean, can’t be too happy about that.”
(source: The Norman Transcript)
Sharapova at least has a few days off before her next match. She will face Czech Republic’s Iveta Benesova in the second round.
