We had some upset in the ladies draw in day 6. But first let’s start with the 2 top seeded players.
AZARENKA – WOZNIAK 6-4 6-4
The scoreline is a bit deceptive as this was a not so easy match for the world no1. The Canadian was in fine form and she did everything she could to put pressure on Vika that is still struggling a bit to find her best tennis. Azarenka has still some problems with her nerves at this Roland Garros edition to commit 7 double faults and 25 unforced errors (ok, she was quite aggressive, but she needs to be more consistent).
“I have to continue to put pressure and play with lots of courage,” Wozniak said. “It’s really confidence. It’ll take more matches, but I’ve had quite a few. I just get have to get over that hump.
“It’s more to bring your game one notch up, like they do, at those important moments. They go after it. I need to go after it at those key moments – play quicker, faster, aggressive, push them at those deuce and break points.”
“She plays really well,” Azarenka said of Wozniak. “You know, sometimes she can just go for her shots and she has a really good timing which you can feel in her ball striking. It’s pretty loose.
“Of course, I was a different player than five, six years ago and I was more stable in the tough moments, when before, I knew she could make me be more in trouble.”
Azarenka will play Cibulkova in the next round.
Head to head 7-1 for Azarenka, but it’s 1-1 on clay.
SHARAPOVA – MORITA 6-1 6-1
Another trash from the Russian beauty. It took only 1h for Maria to win this match (12 more than her previous one!). Sharapova is definately the player with the best chance to win the Roland Garros.
Maria will play Shuai Peng in the next round. Head to head: Sharapova leads 3-1 (1-0 on clay…but that was 7 years ago).
KUZNETSOVA – RADWANSKA 6-1 6-2
This was a big upset also because of the magnitude of the result. The Russian has a very good record at the Roland Garros (she won the title in 2009) and she was expected to be a big threat for the Pole. Finally, she proved to be deadly for the world no.3.
Everything started from the very beginning when Kuznetsova grabbed an early 5-0 lead in no time. That set the tone for the final victory. “I have not played so well in a long time, so I am really happy about that,” Kuznetsova said.“I have not had this feelng for quite a time. I have started to do things the right way off the court in practice. I am confident I am getting back to my game that brought me the victories I had.”
From Radwaska side… well that was not her day, but probably she was to brave to play and win the tournament in Brussels just the week before the French Open see article).
ERRANI – IVANOVIC 1-6 7-5 6-3
Great result for the “queen of the minor tournaments” (see article). The Italian has already won 3 titles this year (Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest) to try to get significant results also in major tournaments. This win was quite important to achieve that.
Ana took full responsability on her loss. “I was making some unforced errors when I was too flat-footed.
“In the third set I was creating a lot of opportunities and missing a lot of easy, easy finishing balls and that is something I am not happy about,” the world number 14 told a news conference.
“Some double faults really came out of nowhere. Maybe I wasn’t using my legs enough”
An elated Errani commented “It is one of my best,” she told a news conference. “She is not top 10 now but she has always been among the top players, so I am very happy.”
Errani will play against Kuznetsova in the next round. Head to head is 5-0 for the Russian. But now both are different players and they have never played each other on the clay. Sara has chances!
OTHER RESULTS
Stephens – Johansson 6-3 6-2
Stosur – Petrova 6-3 6-3
Kerber – Pennetta 4-6 6-3 6-2
Martic – Garrigues 6-2 6-1
Cibulkova – Martiz Sanchez 6-2 6-1
