posted on May, 28 2004 @ 11:35 AM
Maria Sharapova saw off Russian compatriot Vera Zvonareva to book her fourth round
place on Friday. Sharapova, who began the match as a firm underdog with the bookmakers, was into her stride quickly and reeled off the opening set
6-3.
10th seed Zvonareva began to make a game of it in the next, as the pair traded shots on the Phillipe Chatrier court. The second set went to a
tie-break, where Sharapova kept her cool to close out 6-3 7-6 (7/3). Sharapova, seeded 18 this year, looked very impressive from the baseline, hitting
28 winners in the match.
Fifth seed
Lindsay Davenport cruised into the French Open's fourth round on Friday with a swift victory over unseeded compatriot Marissa Irvin.
Davenport, who has won three Grand Slams in her career - the US Open in 1998, Wimbledon in 1999 and the Australian Open in 2000 - needed just just
over one hour to oust her opponent 6-1 6-4. She will next face the winner of the clash between ninth seed Elena Dementieva of Russia and Israel's 19th
seed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi.