No Mother Teresa: Sharapova guts out remarkable victory
Schnyder can't close out long third set
By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net
FROM ROLAND GARROS – Maria Sharapova gives
no quarter on court – that much has become very clear since she broke as a prime-time
player three years ago.
When she comes off court after a routine win or an impressive
victory over an elite foe where the crowd was not decidedly on her opponent's
side or pulling for her, she'll give a few inches and let go a hearty laugh.
But when involved in a brutal contest that involves even a smidgen of controversy,
one where her body aches and her heart hurts after being scaled by fans whom
she feels don't appreciate her contribution to the sport, she continues to
fight, and glare and throw roundhouse punches.
Sharapova did not play great in her remarkable 3-6, 6-4,
9-7 win over the choking Patty Schnyder in the fourth round, but displayed
a street fighter's savagery in grabbing the painful victory. Her shoulder hurt;
she was sick of playing defense; she was not thrilled that almost no analyst
had picked her to down the veteran clay-court lover.
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