Maria Sharapova One Step Closer to Second Wimbledon Title

Written by: Staff on 25th June 2011

Maria Sharapova One Step Closer to Second Wimbledon Title |

2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova is back. Yesterday she took out British teenager Laura Robson, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

At times Sharapova’s serve was looking shaky, but if she can keep her serve in check, she is a definite contender for this year’s Wimbledon title. Laura Robson put up a great fight in the first set.

Sharapova said, “Laura played really well. I found myself on the defensive to start off with, just retrieving the ball. But then I got into my rhythm and started playing better. She has great potential. It’s important she learns from situations like today. She’ll be a better player for it.”

Next opponent for Sharapova will be Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic, who beat No. 31 seed Lucie Safarova in three sets in the previous round.

The 17-year-old smiled as she walked off the court. Robson said, “I could have played better on the big points. It’s where her experience showed. It’s a good learning experience for me and good to know I can play just as well as the top girls. It’s going to be hard going back down to the lower tournaments but you have to earn the right to play these matches more often.”

Robson will return to the Challenger circuit after Wimbledon. The world No. 254 has got a bright future and is just what British tennis needs. Robson has played in the main draw at Wimbledon three times before. She was only 14 years old when she won the Wimbledon Junior title in 2008.