Maria Sharapova labors into Pan Pacific Open 3rd round

By Liu Shewin

TOKYO, Japan (TheSportsNEXT) September 25, 2012: World number two woman tennis player Maria Sharapova of Russia was made to work hard for victory in her second round match of the Pan Pacific Open as British qualifier Heather Watson stretched the match to three sets in Tokyo on Tuesday.

 

After losing the first set by 6-7, former world number one player stormed her way back to form and won the next two sets by 6-3 6-4 to reach last 16 round of the tournament.

Talking to reporters after winning the match, Maria Sharapova said, ''I was facing someone who had gone through (qualifying) and already played so I was definitely the rustier of the two. Overall, it was just one of those matches where you are glad to be through”.

Maria Sharapova is bidding for her third Tokyo title here after winning the Pan Pacific Open crown in 2005 and 2009.

The next opponent for Maria Sharapova is Lucie Safarova of Czech Republic who got a walk over after her opponent Klara Zakopalova of Czech Republic was unable to play because of a left wrist injury.

When asked about Safarova, Maria Sharapova said, “She's a tough player. She had a break today with the walkover while I played three hours but hopefully that won't be a factor”.