Sunday, January 23, 2011

Andrea Petkovic: Petkovic Topples Sharapova In Fourth Round of Aussie

Andrea Petkovic cruised past former Australian Open winner Maria Sharapova in straight sets during the fourth round of the Aussie Open, 6-2, 6-3.

Sharapova, simply had no answer for Petkovic in their match.

"There are many things that didn't work today," Sharapova said. "I didn't get my first breakpoint until it was a set and 5?1. That's not the type of tennis I want to be playing, especially on the return. I mean, I didn't put any pressure on her serve whatsoever. I wasn't up Love?30 or anything on her service games. That's not the way to play a match."

Petkovic, a rising star in women's tennis has disposed of two former No. 1 ranked players in her last two games: Sharapova and Venus Williams. In the third round of the tournament, Petkovic had a relatively easy win over Williams, who had to withdraw with an injury after just four minutes into their match.

"Maria is such a great champion, it's just two or three points and she comes back, and she started playing so well in the last couple of games, so I was a little nervous," Petkovic said. "But I am happy I closed it out in the end."

Petkovic will play China's Li Na in the quarterfinals.