CARSON—Maria Sharapova wriggled out of trouble in the first set before her opponent retired in the second Wednesday, putting the Russian top seed into the third round of the East West Bank Classic.
Sharapova, who had a bye the first round, advanced 7-6 (5), 3-1 over Eleni Daniilidou. The Greek called for a medical timeout and then walked to the net to shake hands with the top-seeded Russian.
Sharapova walked to Daniilidou’s chair and spoke briefly with her opponent, who had been sick the last four days. A bug has spread among some players recently.
“I wanted badly to play against Maria,” said Daniilidou, her voice shaky and tears streaking her face. “I wanted to try. My first-round match yesterday was pretty tough. I didn’t practice at all these days. I wanted to give my best.”
Sharapova will meet unseeded Michaella Krajicek in the third round.
Daniilidou had Sharapova on the run in the first set, which the Russian won in a tiebreaker when Daniilidou netted a backhand.
“In the beginning of the second set, the points were a little shorter,” said Sharapova. “In the first set, I felt like she played some of the best tennis she’s ever played against me. I expected her to come out strong because she can play good tennis and be extremely dangerous.”
No. 3 Ana Ivanovic defeated qualifier Ashley Harkleroad, 6-4, 6-2, in her first match since losing in the Wimbledon semifinals to eventual champion Venus Williams.
No. 2 Jelena Jankovic, who defeated Peng Shuai of China 6-1, 6-1 despite also being affected by a bug.
Changeover
“I’m still not 100 percent and still blowing my nose on each changeover,” said Jankovic, last year’s runner-up. “I didn’t practice the last four days. I was in bed taking medicine and just finished my antibiotics last night. I’m looking forward to feeling well.”
“I was right on almost all the challenges I made and my opponent was wrong,” the 22-year-old Serb said. “I didn’t play well, but at least I saw the ball well.”
In other matches, Virginie Razzano of France upset 10th-seeded Shahar Peer, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (6); defending champion Elena Dementieva ousted 17-year-old American wild card Madison Brengle, 6-2, 6-0; and No. 5 seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia beat American Jill Craybas, 6-3, 7-6 (5). (AP)
