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| June 26, 2005 | Sunday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1426 |
Sharapova, Federer keep title defence hopes alive
LONDON, June 25: It takes more than talent to make a champion and both Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer needed a sprinkle of that something special on Saturday to keep their Wimbledon defences alive.
While there was more base metal than gold in their performances, both managed to do just enough on a day when they would rather have stayed at home.
An off-colour Federer, who had been due to play on Friday before rain wiped out the schedule, failed to stamp his authority on Nicolas Kiefer but had enough in reserve to advance 6-2 6-7 6-1 7-5.
He plays former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero next after the Spaniard beat Germany’s Florian Mayer 3-6 6-2 6-1 6-1.
“That was definitely a test today... definitely,” Swiss Federer, who is bidding for a third successive Wimbledon title, said.
“I had the feeling I should’ve won in three sets but in the end I am happy to have won in four.”
Sharapova posted a scrappy 6-2 6-4 win over Slovenia’s Katarina Srebotnik and will be happy to have got the first week out of the way at the All England Club.
“The score doesn’t say much about the match,” second seed Sharapova said. “It was a lot tougher than it seemed.
“Definitely a tough match... every single point, I needed to find a way to win it.
“You know, it’s all right. Still got through it without serving great.”
Sharapova was joined in the fourth round by twice champion Venus Williams. The 14th seed beat Daniela Hantuchova 7-5 6-3.
Champion in 2000 and 2001, Venus could face younger sister Serena, champion in 2002 and 2003, in the next round. Serena plays Jill Craybas later on Saturday.
Resurgent Mary Pierce also advanced. The 30-year-old Frenchwoman, a first-round loser last year, blasted Serbian teenager Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-4.
It has been nine years since Pierce last reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and she has never looked so at ease on grass.
Runner-up at the French Open earlier this month, the 12th seed is enjoying her tennis again and the slick lawns are aiding her power game this year.
“I’m getting there,” she smiled. “Feeling more at ease with each match.
“I’m just enjoying being here every day... last year I lost first round. I feel like I’m improving with every match I’m playing on grass. I hope that it keeps continuing in that manner.”
Eighth seed Nadia Petrova also advanced with ease, the Russian beating Zimbabwe’s Cara Black 6-4 6-3.
Former champion Conchita Martinez fell, however, a 6-4 6-1 victim of Czech Kveta Peschke.
The oldest woman left in the draw and contesting her 63rd grand slam tournament, 33-year-old Martinez flopped on an overcast court 18.
Peschke, who had lost both the pair’s previous matches, faces Petrova next.
Fellow former world number one Kim Clijsters is also on court, against Italy’s Roberta Vinci.
Men’s second seed Andy Roddick, who finished his rain-delayed second round match on Friday, faces Russia’s Igor Andreev while Britain’s last remaining hope, Scotland’s Andy Murray, clashes with former runner-up David Nalbandian.
Results:
Men’s singles (third round): Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) bt Florian Mayer (GER) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1; Roger Federer (SUI) bt Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 7-5; Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) bt Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (11/9); Max Mirnyi (BLR) bt Jiri Novak (CZE) 5-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2); Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) bt Alexander Popp (GER) 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 6-2; Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) bt Novak Djokovic (SEM) 7-5, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4; Thomas Johansson (SWE) bt Janko Tipsarevic (SEM) 6-2, 6-3, 6-1
Women’s singles (third round): Maria Sharapova (RUS) bt Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 6-2, 6-4; Nadia Petrova (RUS) bt Cara Black (ZIM) 6-4, 6-3; Mary Pierce (FRA) bt Ana Ivanovic (SEM) 6-1, 6-4; Kveta Peschke (CZE) bt Conchita Martinez (ESP) 6-4, 6-1; Lindsay Davenport (USA) bt Dinara Safina (RUS) 6-2, 6-1; Nathalie Dechy (FRA) bt Alyona Bondarenko (UKR) 6-1, 6-4; Kim Clijsters (BEL) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA) 6-3, 6-4; Venus Williams (USA) bt Daniela Hantuchova (SVK x20) 7-5, 6-3; Flavia Pennetta (ITA) bt Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 6-4, 6-3.—AFP
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