The third round has come and gone at the East West Bank Classic in Carson and the top matches are Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Nadia Petrova, and Daniela Hantuchova.
Russian start Maria Sharapova faced American Michaella Krajicek. It was a long three hour, three set match and Maria was definitely struggling but Michaella definitely gave Maria a run for her money. The first set, no one would want to break so it went to a tie-break. Mara took the first set 7-6 (7-4). Everything was the same in the second set but this time in the tie-break, Michaella took the second set tie-break and set 7-6 (7-3). In the third set, Maria breaks and takes the match 7-6(4) 6-7(3) 6-4.
Jelena Jankovic from Serbia faced off against Austrian Sybille Bammer and it was smooth sailing for Jelena and she won in straight sets 6-2 6-1.
Jelena Jankovic’s fellow Serb, Ana Ivanovic, played Lucie Safarova and it was also smooth sailing for Ana as she had no problems defeating Lucie in straight sets 6-2 6-2.
Nadia Petrova seems like she is getting back on track as she defeated Katarina Srebotnic 6-1 6-2. Elena Dementieva played the fifth seed Daniela Hantuchova and it was expected that it would be a very great match and exciting but Elena took the first set 6-3 and 4-1 until Daniela retired due to an upper respiratory problem.
Virginie Razzano defeated Indian star Sania Mirza 6-1 7-6 (8-6). The first set looked so easy for Virginia as if she was going to take the match this easily but in the second set tie-break, it seemed as if there would be a third set. Luckily for Virginie, everything worked out for her.
Victoria Azarenka defeated the last Bondarenko at this tournament as Victoria won in straight sets 6-1 6-2. Maria Kirilenko is continuing her winning and her improvement as the season comes on to the U.S. Open. She played Gisela Dulko and also won in straight sets 6-3 6-4.
