TENNIS FRENCH OPEN:MARIA SHARAPOVA bowed out of the French Open yesterday following a 6-0, 6-2 quarter-final demolition by Slovak Dominika Cibulkova, but it was not all bad news as she had finally won over the fickle Roland Garros crowd.
The former world number one, who was jeered off court after being eliminated in 2007 and 2008, was backed enthusiastically as she battled past her first four opponents in three sets.
“Allez Maria!” became a regular chant heard around Suzanne Lenglen Court and when the Russian found herself 6-0, 5-0 down against the 20th seeded Cibulkova, the volume of support reached defeaning levels, especially when she saved a match point with a forehand winner.
The 102nd-ranked Sharapova, who is on a comeback trail following a nine-month injury lay-off, saved three more to the delight of the fans but finally bowed out on the fifth. The crowd still gave her a standing ovation.
“I was very appreciative of the way they were rooting for me, asking for me to fight and to keep working and find a way to turn things around,” said Sharapova.
Cibulkova, who will face world number one Dinara Safina for a place in Saturday’s final, was surprised by the crowd reaction.
Sharapova, who returned to singles action last month at the Warsaw Open, said she was not too bothered by fact she almost lost the match without winning a game.
When Cibulkova realised she was about to whitewash Sharapova, her nerves got the better of her.
“It was really tough, because when I was up 6-0, 5-0, 40-30, in this moment I realised what I could do,” she said. “I realise I can beat Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-0 and to go to the semi-finals in a grand slam. I got shocked a little bit.”
World number one Safina came from behind to survive her first real test of the tournament to reach the semi-finals after beating feisty Belarussian teenager Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The Russian, who had dropped only five games in her first four matches, more than doubled that figure in the 23-minute first set, as the ninth seed gave Safina a taste of her own medicine with some aggressive crosscourt shots.
“At the beginning it was going too fast, there was nothing I could do,” said Safina.
The 19-year-old Belarussian, making her grand slam quarter-final debut, made her opponent work hard to hold the second game of the second but Safina then racked up a double break to lead 4-1.
“If I don’t fight in the quarter-final of a grand slam and am number one in the world, then obviously I don’t deserve this spot, the 23-year-old Safina, who is seeking a maiden major title, said Safina after her victory.
“I was strong in the key moments. It was a good test for me,” she added.
“I had a lot of chances but didn’t take them. She definitely stepped it up and played some good points on the key moments, which I have to give her all the credit for,” said a gracious Azarenka.
