Determined Maria Sharapova Edges Past Nadia Petrova in a Nerve-Wracking Thriller

It was a battle between two gritty Russians, a battle between two former Roland Garros semifinalists, a battle of power, determination, nerves and brilliance and most importantly a battle that lived upto the expectations.

Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova, back after an injury-induced 10-month layoff, edged past her compatriot, Nadia Petrova 6-2, 1-6, 8-6.

The riveting all-Russian encounter on Court Suzanne Lenglen had some stupendous tennis played by both players and drama that all tennis aficionados wait to watch.

Currently ranked 102, Sharapova resplendent in a blue attire with a bandaged right shoulder, began by serving brilliantly and attacking Petrova’s serve efficiently to break her twice and grasp the first set in just 32 minutes.

The second set, however, saw a reversal in momentum as Petrova found her groove, trading her heavy groundstrokes from corner to corner as Sharapova struggled to keep pace with her 11^th seeded opponent from the back of the court.

Petrova’s anticipation power was spot-on, as Sharapova, who is not a natural volleyer, began losing her points at the net, too.

The momentum clearly appeared to be in favour of the former World No.3 as she broke the Siberian belle to clinch the second set and followed it up by breaking her yet again in the opening game of the deciding set, which alone lasted for 71 minutes in the 2 hr, 12 min clash.

In a high-octane, see-saw third set, with the crowd feverishly rooting for the 22-year-old beauty, Maria broke back to level at 1-1 with some stunning display along the lines.

Petrova subsequently upped the intensity and the convalescing unseeded Russian wilted under pressure to make double faults and gift Petrova a 4-2 lead.

But then, Sharapova’s sheer determination started coming onto the forefront and the resounding grunts became even louder as at 15-40 down, she still managed to hold on to 3-4 and broke Petrova right back to 4-4 with some accurate angles and smashing returns.

The undeterred Petrova kept putting pressure on the younger opponent as from 40-0, Maria fell to deuce where Maria called on her fighting instincts to stave off three break points and lead 5-4.

Petrova continued serving beautifully and kept Maria running for the lines with her huge forehands to level things at 6-6.

Finally Petrova’s nerves faltered in the nailbiting third set, as she double-faulted at 6-7 down and stared at a match point and then, as her second serve under pressure landed long, the jubilant comeback queen Maria looked up to the sky...

Sharapova next faces Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova in the third round.

It is rightly said that "Once a champion, always a champion." Maria Sharapova may never have won the French Open but the mighty three-time Grand Slam winner’s fighting instincts, grit, never-say-die attitude and steely resolve sailed her through when the chips were down which is the true testimony of a champion.

Her comeback augurs well for the now-declining WTA and it will be interesting to see if Maria can bank on her vast experience to dig through the draw at Roland Garros—now that she has enough confidence on her side.