MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – No. 4 Maria Sharapova of Russia had to regroup after dropping six games in a row to lose the first set to defeat Germany’s Sabine Lisicki 3-6 6-2, 6-3 to make the Australian Open quarterfinals on Monday night.
“Well, the first three games were good,” said Sharapova, “then it went south for a bit, and then I got it together in the second. The third was a battle. No doubt, she played some really good tennis. I think the level was pretty high. You know, she had some opportunities and some breakpoints. You know, I came up with a good couple of second serves, you know, won that game, and felt pretty confident after that.
“Yeah, obviously a few ups and down, but really happy to be through and a step further than last year.
“Well, she’s a really solid player. She has a big game. Big weapons. Serves really well. You know, started returning well, but that wasn’t working for me. Got that back. But, you know, returning’s obviously really important against her.”
“Yeah, I think I didn’t start too well, said Lisicki. But then I just hung in there. I kept fighting. You know, I’m hitting the ball pretty well, so I knew I can do some damage with that. I was obviously running pretty well, moving well.
“So, yeah, I thought it was a very good game. Unfortunately she made some great serves in the third set when I had breakpoints. Not much I could do there at that moment. She served right on the line.
“But I kept fighting till the very last point, and unfortunately it wasn’t enough today.”
One of the pivotal points of the match came when Lisicki was serving at 2-3 in the third set.
“I think it was quite important, but also the game at 2‑3 where she broke me,” said Lisicki.
“It was very close, you know, the entire match. When the match is that close, really every single point counts at that moment.
“I mean, one year ago I was in the quallies here. Now I was so close to beating one of the best players in the world. So I’m taking lots of positive things out of here, you know, keep building on it.”
Two games before Sharapova held off five break points in a 13 minute game to take a 2-1 lead.
“During a match, there’s so many emotions,”said Sharapova. “Sometimes I’m sure it’s almost like you look angry in a way. In the end of the match it’s more happiness and just joy, the fact that you won. I mean, whenever I win, it’s more like just a really, really happy feeling.
“I don’t know. I mean, you work towards winning those types of matches ‑ tough or easy ‑ and it gives you a good satisfaction when that match point ends and you’re the champion.
“It is for many athletes. But when you’re in the moment, I’m very competitive, so when I fist pump, it’s more like, All right, I won this but we still have many more to go so I’m not celebrating that much yet.”
Sharapova will meet countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova for a spot in the semifinals. Makarova upset Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3.
Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News
