Williams too strong for Makarova

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:51

The result, combined with Dinara Safina’s defeat on Monday by world number 226 Zhang Shuai – the lowest-ranked player ever to beat a world number one – means Williams will go top again when the new rankings are announced on Monday.

“Obviously I’m happy to be there because I’ve worked so hard this year to get there. I think I’ve earned it,” said Williams.

Elsewhere, eighth seed Jelena Jankovic succumbed 4-6 7-5 6-2 to Peng Shuai of China, while ninth seed Victoria Azarenka lost out in a marathon three-hour match against Maria Sharapova, who eventually won 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 7-5.

Sharapova said: “I certainly felt like I stepped it up when I needed to.”

There were no such dramas for fourth seed Elena Dementieva, who beat Hungarian qualifier Melinda Czink 6-4 6-3, or her fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, the seventh seed cruising past Italy’s Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-0.

Flavia Pennetta, Marion Bartoli and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez also progressed to the next round.

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