TENNIS WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS:MARIA SHARAPOVA was keeping it real. Playing at Wimbledon with a special seeding because her ranking has plummeted to 60 in the world following a shoulder operation last November, the diva yesterday remained the only way she possibly could – philosophical. First rounds are like that, all angst and trepidation with the big names hoping they won't tumble out in an embarrassed heap.
The expression of the face of Daniela Hantuchova almost told such a tale. The Slovakian dropped the first set in her opening match and went a service break down in the second to 15-year-old British player Laura Robson, last year’s junior champion, before pulling the rescue lever. Afterwards the teenager, who had to contend with growing three inches in the intervening 12 months, was visibly upset. First rounds are like that. Everyone believes they have a chance, even school kids doing their GCEs.
Twice a Wimbledon semi-finalist and a winner in 2004, observers continue to look at Sharapova as a possible threat to Serena Williams or last year’s champion, sister Venus, carrying off the trophy for the eighth time for the family – Serena has won the title twice, while Venus is a five-time champion.
On the evidence yesterday, however, Sharapova may have to improve faster than she feels she can. Her mood was pragmatic and positive and although the fashion side of her name is as big a part of her brand as the tennis, few misjudge the Russian. There is steel in Sharapova and there is a solemn determination that even the criticism of her shrieking during matches cannot ruffle.
The Russian players appear to be either flippant jokesters, or like Sharapova, resolute fighters.
While she won her match against Viktoriya Kutuzova 7-5, 6-4, with her serve being broken twice, it was not in the manner of a former champion or, indeed, a future one. Satisfied but not stridently confident, Sharapova still has some improvement work to carry out before she can start making claims on another walk-on part on final day at Centre Court or threaten the American sisters.
While she would have loved to talk big, her heart and body was telling her to be cautious.
“I think there’s still work to be done,” she said. “Not just with my tennis but also physically, getting used to the movement on court as well, you know, moving on two different surfaces (clay and grass).
“I don’t know how long until everything comes together. You know, that’s why I’m here. You look forward to the daily challenges. It’s funny because sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a match and I’ll find myself thinking about the progression of the shoulder, how it’s feeling. But, you know, I’m a big competitor and I love going out on court.”
For Williams, the near future looked brighter. Traditionally impetuous, Serena arrives with her Zen-centred sister from Florida and blasts away. Practice on grass? Forget it. Dinara Safin might be the top seed but it’s “sooo coold” in London.
Tactics? The first week is a warm-up and the second week is when to make a move on the tournament. Yesterday’s starter was a typically lop-sided win against qualifier Neuza Silva. Ranked 154 to Serena Williams’ two, Silva folded 6-1 in the first set before believing in herself in the second but falling 7-5.
It took that long for her to exorcise the thought that this was her first Grand Slam match against a Williams sister on Centre Court.
“What a wonderful attitude she had. I had no idea. I thought she played incredibly,” said Williams. “I felt I served well but could have played a ton better, especially on key points. I hope that as the tournament progresses, I’ll get there.”
She was then asked if she knew anything about her next opponent, Jarmila Groth. “I’m not too familiar. No. Where is she from?” (Slovakia and now Australia).
“I just know the standard. Everyone is from Russia. Sometimes I think I’m from Russia. All these new ‘ovas’. I don’t know anyone. I don’t really recognise anyone. That’s just how it is. I think my name must be Williamsova.”
On that subject, 10th-seed Nadia Petrova advanced to round two, as did the exciting young Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, the eighth seed. Her French opponent Severine Bremond Beltrame retired after the first set, which she lost 6-1.
The 19-year-old from Minsk made it through to the quarter-finals of Roland Garros three weeks ago.
Order of play
Showcourts. Prefix denotes seeding.
CENTRE COURT (1pm)
3-V Williams (US) v S Voegele (Switzerld)
J Chardy (France) v 6-A Roddick (US)
3-A Murray (Brit) v R Kendrick (US)
COURT ONE (1pm)
5-J M del Potro (Arg) v A Clement (Fra)
1-D Safina (Russia) v L D Lino (Spn)
J C Ferrero (Spn) v M Y (Rus)
COURT TWO(Noon)
9-C Wozniacki (Den) v K D Krumm (Jap)
A Bogdanovic (Brit) v 20-T Berdych (Cze)
B Reynolds (US) v 8-G Simon (Fra)
A Morigami (Jpn) v 5-S Kuznetsova (Rus)
COURT THREE(Noon)
J Goerges (Ger) v 6-J Jankovic (Ser)
LHewitt (Aus) v R Ginepri (US)
F Santoro (Fra) v 33-N Kiefer (Ger)
17-A Mauresmo (Fra) v M Czink (Hun)
COURT 18(Noon)
10-F Gonzalez (Chi) v T Gabashvili (Rus)
32-A Chakvetadze (Rus) v S Lisicki (Ger)
J Levine (US) v 14-Mart Safin (Russa)
C Suarez Navarro (Spa) v 25-K Kanepi (Est)
