Maria Sharapova Moves Into Quarterfinals At 2013 Mutua Madrid Open; Ekaterina Makarova Upsets Marion Bartoli

Maria Sharapova (click to enlarge)

Maria Sharapova moved into the quarterfinals of the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Sabine Lisicki. Although she started well, Masha had to come back from a break down in the second set as well as double set point against her serve. But come back she did. Sharapova could be #1 if she wins this event. With Victoria Azarenka suffering an upset at the hands of Ekaterina Makarova in the previous round, it would seem Serena Williams is the one big hurdle left…although anything can happen, as Vika can attest to. Masha can also ascend to #1 if she advances one round farther than Serena, but as a fan I’d rather just focus on Masha taking the title since that would take care of everything.

Ekaterina Makarova (click to enlarge)

Speaking of Ekaterina Makarova, she kept the upsets coming by taking out the 14th seed, Marion Bartoli, 6-3 6-2. Makarova had 7 aces and to be honest, I could see her win big against Sara Errani or be blown out. Errani is an amazing clay court player. She should win. However, maybe just maybe Makarova at 24 is starting to believe in the talent that I, and others, think she has. Her upset of Vika can be explained away by Azarenka coming back from injury. The upset of Marion can be explained away by Bartoli’s inconsistency. THIS MATCH…against Errani, a superb clay court player, could give the best barometer of just how well Ekaterina is playing.

3rd Round – Completed
	1	2	3
M. Sharapova #2  «	6	7
S. Lisicki	2	5

3rd Round – Completed
	1	2	3
M. Bartoli #14	3	2
E. Makarova  «	6	6

3rd Round – Completed
	1	2	3
S. Errani #7  «	7	6
V. Lepchenko	5	3

3rd Round – Completed
	1	2	3
K. Kanepi  «	6	6
D. Hantuchova	3	4

3rd Round – Completed
	1	2	3
S. Williams #1  «	6	6
M. Kirilenko #13	3	1

ALL PICS CLICK TO ENLARGE

MARIA SHARAPOVA

SABINE LISICKI

SARA ERRANI

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