Australian Open Day 3: Wednesday, January 21

[Sundaymorningguy]

It is a shame because Maria is the only player I don't want winning the AO.

 

[golds girl]

Yeah I think it's a wrap...but Maria can't be struggling like this in huge 2nd round....it's ridiculous

 

[kskate2]

Holds at love. Now what does the upstart have left?

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Panova you lost that game because you were directing your shots up the middle,right in Maria's strike zone ,also your first serve went AWOL at times

Maria took some gutsy shots in that game, the youngster was hesitant.
Maria dodges 2 match points and breaks on her second chance. That was a tough game to lose.

Pova was behind this whole set and now leads 6-5

 

[Carol]

Wow, Sharapova losing against who? :eyepop

But not yet, not yet.....

 

[kskate2]

15-30

 

[kskate2]

2 MP's the other way

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Houdini act from Pova...Well done.

 

[kskate2]

And that'll do it. Maria escapes the Oz inferno again.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Boo! I hate Sharapova! Someone better take her out!

 

[Kirijax]

Pachokanova is gone, but Sharapova never wins Grand Slam during an odd-numbered year. Serena or Kvitova will shut those screams up.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bad luck Panova you came through qualies,I know you will learn from this,it is a great learning expierence for you being so close in taking out the No 2 seed player in Maria Sharapova.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

2 MP's the other way

Masha won it on the second, this is what Grand Slam Champs do, give 'em an opening and they turn the tables on you.

 

[kskate2]

Boo! I hate Sharapova! Someone better take her out!

Don't be that way Sunday. She'll lose when someone steps up to the plate and does it. These girls shrink when they should push forward and be aggressive.

 

[Kirijax]

Those ear-drum splitting screams are why I never watch the WTA anymore. The WTA is letting these scream cheaters ruin the sport. No sense in it.

 

[golds girl]

Pova isn't my fave but she does have that belief all the way to match point that she can always win a match. Think people like Sloane could learn from her, even Fognini on the men's side could learn a thing or two

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Even though Panova lost, I think she was not showing any visible signs of weakness until last
minute. As the commentators said, you got to fake it even if you have don't have confidence.
Panova's problem seems to be her second serves.

Anyway, Live another day Maria

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Ugly match from Pova but now she is battle tested.

Stats:
Masha 38 winnners, 51 unforced errors, 7/14 breaks, 104 points.
Panova 20 winners ,36 unforced errors, 4/10 breaks, 83 points.

 

[Vince Evert]

Boo! I hate Sharapova! Someone better take her out!

Don't be that way Sunday. She'll lose when someone steps up to the plate and does it. These girls shrink when they should push forward and be aggressive.

Well said kskate2. Tell us why , in your opinion, do 'These girls shrink' ? Do they play not to loose when closing (or trying to) out these matches ?

 

[Vince Evert]

Ugly match from Pova but now she is battle tested.

Stats:
Masha 38 winnners, 51 unforced errors, 7/14 breaks, 104 points.
Panova 20 winners ,36 unforced errors, 4/10 breaks, 83 points.

Hmmmmmm you're right. I did not see the match as I just got back home. Was it another windy day ?