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05/14/2024 10:58:28 pm

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Sharapova, Serena No Big Troubles in the Second Round of Wimbledon

Russian and fifth seed Maria Sharapova overcome her opponent Swedish Timea Bacsinszky in two straight sets 6-2 6-1 on the second round of the ladies singles at the All England Club of the Wimbledon Championships.

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"Because it's so quick from one (surface) to another, the first couple of matches are really crucial in just working on so many things as a grass court player, just trying to make that transition and trying to do it as quick as possible," recent French Open champion Sharapova said after the game.

Last year's Wimbledon, Sharapova was eliminated early in the rounds by then world No.131 Michelle Larcher de Brito.

"I think after last year, everyone is maybe a little bit more cautious," Sharapova said. "You can't just forget about it overnight. It's always in the back of your mind a little bit. I'm sure happy to get through an extra round than I did last year."

Sharapova will then play American Allison Riske in the third round of play.

Meanwhile, five-time Wimbledon champion and World No. 1 American Serena Williams also won her match against South African Chanelle Scheepers in straight sets 6-1 6-2 in just 49 minutes.

Serena has been favored to win this year's Wimbledon and she is already used to it.

"I'm always the favorite," acknowledged Serena afterwards. "It's been that way for the last three years and maybe years before that. So it can create pressure. But it's OK - I'd rather it was that way."

As the matches progress, will this be another year for a finals match between Serena and Sharapova?

In 2004, then 17-year-old Sharapova shocked the world as she went on to the Wimbledon Finals against top seed and defending champion Serena Williams. She defeated Serena in straight sets 6-1 6-4, making her the third youngest player to win a Wimbledon title and earning her first Grand Slam title as well.

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