Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic Roll In Second Round Of 2012 BNP Paribas Open At Indian Wells

Maria Sharapova

I think Gisela Dulko has had enough of seeing Maria Sharapova early this season. A few months ago in Melbourne at the 2012 Australian Open, the two met in a first round clash that was all Masha, 6-0 6-1. And it wasn’t that close. Fast forward to the second round of the 2012 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and it was Gisela vs Masha again. Second verse, same as the first. Masha once again torched and overpowered Gisela, this time 6-2 6-0. You can never take any players lightly, but Masha’s side of the draw is potentially favorable, although Caroline Wozniacki, Samantha Stosur, Marion Bartoli and Ana Ivanovic are lurking. Still, Masha gets to avoid a possible showdown with Petra Kvitova or Victoria Azarenka until the final, should Masha make it that far.

Ana Ivanovic

While Masha was continuing her dominance over Dulko, Ana Ivanovic was exacting revenge (of sorts) on Johanna Larsson. 2008 Roland Garros winner Ivanovic was unceremoniously bounced out of Paris last year by Larsson in the first round. It was a see-saw match in France in which Ana actually dropped a bagel on Johanna in the second set before being dismissed in the third. Second verse, different than the first. Ana jumped on Larsson at Indian Wells and didn’t let up, beating the Swede 6-2 6-1. If Ana can get by Ksenia Pervak in her next match, there is a potential match-up in the fourth round with Caroline Wozniacki.