Maria Sharapova, Li Na Advance Easily In Second Round Of 2011 Western & Southern Open At Cincinnati

Maria Sharapova

Looking to win a tournament that slipped away last year, Maria Sharapova made quick work of second round opponent Anastasia Rodionova 6-1 6-3. Masha had Kim Clijsters on the ropes in 2010 at Cincinnati before a weather delay helped Kimmie regroup and come back to win. I am still a bit concerned about Masha’s double faults. Against better players, she cannot afford to give away points.

Li Na

Li Na also moved through in straight sets over Lucie Safarova, 6-3 6-4. But watching that match, I didn’t get the feel that Li Na is in a good rhythm right now. It was a match of quick sloppy points and errors mixed in with the occasional rally. I didn’t see the Li Na I saw at the 2011 Australian Open and Roland Garros. That Li Na has been MIA the last few months. I hope she finds her game soon. She has the tools to win the US Open, but she must raise her game from where it is now. We will see if she can do so in the next round, as she will face the winner of the Serena Williams-Sam Stosur match. Either player presents a challenge for Li Na. Stosur beat Li Na last week in Toronto and Serena is…well, Serena. As a sidenote, Li Na and the other Chinese players at this event have a special group of Chinese juniors visiting them this week, the Mountain Flower Girls.