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Sharapova advances to 2nd round at U.S. Open

Russian seeking her second U.S. Open title, fourth grand slam crown

Image: SharapovaAFP/Getty Images
Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova on Tuesday.

“I’m disappointed I lost,” she said, “and I didn’t expect to say that after playing the No. 1 player in the world. It’s a bit weird.”

The day did feature the occasional upset: Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium defeated No. 16 Virginie Razzano of France 6-4, 6-3; and Shahar Peer of Israel eliminated No. 32 Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-2, 6-2.

Otherwise, winners included 2004 U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, past runners-up Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic, No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki and No. 13 Nadia Petrova.

Neither Safina nor Rogowska played particularly well. They combined for 24 double-faults, 113 unforced errors and 15 service breaks over 2½ hours.

“I put a lot of pressure on her serve,” Rogowska said, “and it seemed to crumble a bit.”

Afterward, Safina found two things to be happy about: She didn’t break any rackets — something big brother Marat is known for — and she didn’t receive any warnings from the chair umpire. So, yes, the mental fragility she’s acknowledged is an issue for her on court was a factor in her play, but at least Safina managed to keep it in check.

Oh, and then there was this: “Tomorrow is another day,” she said. “So hopefully from today on, it’s going to get better.”

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Couldn’t get much worse.

“It happens that you have a bad day and you want to ... say, ’I hate everything,”’ Safina said. “But at the end of the day, you win the match, even like this — I would say a little bit ugly. But you come in the hotel, and you are like, ’I made it.’ Like, at the end of the day, that counts. I made it. I pulled it out, and that’s what counts for me.”

Rogowska, too, tried to find the positive in her day. A year ago, after all, she was back home in Melbourne, watching the U.S. Open on television. On Tuesday, she was playing in the tournament and nearly winning — against the woman who is ranked No. 1, no less.

“My heart was just going crazy, and I was breathing, like, really fast,” Rogowska said. “So next time, I guess, I’m just going to have to learn to stay calm, and, you know, not get too excited.”

Sounds like good advice for Safina.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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