Russian cutie pie, Maria Sharapova, continues her post-injury comeback, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2009 French Open played May 24-June 7, 2009. She played four tough matches in the first four rounds, each going three sets, warding off many set and match points against her.
On her road to the quarterfinals, she defeated No. 82 ranked Anastasia Yakimova of Belarus (3-6, 6-1, 6-2), No. 10 ranked Nadia Petrova of Russia (6-2, 1-6, 8-6), No. 72 ranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Russia (1-6, 6-3, 6-4), and No. 19 ranked Na Li of China (6-4, 0-6, 6-4). She was finally defeated by No. 14 ranked Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 0-6, 2-6.
It was a great run for Sharapova. This was only her 2nd singles tournament action since being sidelined by a shoulder injury over 10 months ago.
Sharapova then reached the Semifinals of the 2009 WTA Aegon Classic played in Birmingham, England, the following week, June 8-14, defeating No. 100 ranked Stephanie Dubois of Canada, (6-4, 6-2), Alexa Glatch (6-3, 6-4), No. 50 ranked Francesca Schiavone of Italy (6-1, 6-3), and No. 72 ranked Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium (6-1, 2-6, 6-3). This tournament-run was ended by No. 19 ranked Na Li of China (4-6, 4-6). Sharapova had defeated Na Li in the Quarterfinals of the French Open last week.
Sharapova had great results, playing in only her 2nd and 3rd tournaments of the year. It vaulted her in the rankings from the high 100s to her current ranking of 59. Her climb back up the ranking ladder is coming quickly. It is good to see her back.
