Maria Sharapova beats Ekaterina Makarova at Madrid Open 2011

May 02, 2011

Maria Sharapova of Russia is through to the 3rd round at the Mutua Madrid Open needed three sets to beat compatriot Ekaterina Makarova for survived a minor wobble to book her place. She Beats Ekaterina Makarova by -3 3-6 6-1 in 1 hour and 49 minutes.

In the first set all games were held on serve until the eighth seed and former World No 1 Maria Sharapova of Russia who makes her season debut on the clay in Spain were broke Ekaterina Makarova when Makarova double-faulted on break point to lead 5-3. Maria then held her serve in the next game as she took the set 6-3 in 35 minutes but was soon pegged back by Ekaterina Makarova as the world No. 39 forced the match to a decider.

The first set was a hard fought contest as both players looked equally good in the middle and held to their serves with ease. No breaks were exchanged until the eight game, where Makarova went off the boil and gifted a break to Sharapova, who successfully served next to turn it into a one set lead.

Maria had a couple of break-points in the 3rd game but was unable to take them and in the next game, Makarova took her opportunities to break Maria and lead 3-1. Makarova looked unperturbed by the opening set loss and continue to play with grit and determination. Her hard work paid when she secured a vital break in the fourth game and maintained it till the end to wrap and That one break of serve was enough for Makarova as she took the set 6-3 when Maria hit a backhand long.

However, any fears of an upset were swiftly put to bed as Sharapova raced through the final set to clinch. In the third set, Maria Sharapova re-gained her composure and hit a stunning backhand winner to break Makarova and lead 3-1 and Sharapova re-gained her composure in ththird set and raced past Makarova 6-1 and win by 6-3 3-6 6-1 victory.

Sharapova, who has needed three sets in both her opening matches at the Caja Magica, will play Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the 3rd round who was the first woman into the third roundwho was the first woman into the third round when her opponent Agnes Szavay of Hungary withdrew because of an injury. They have played 3 times before and Maria leads the series 2-1 - all 3 matches were on clay.

In the WTA rankings, Maria provisionally moves up to No.8 with 3866 points.

Click here for photos from the Match.