Sharapova dispatches Karatantcheva
Defending champion Maria Sharapova ruthlessly dispatched Bulgarian Sesil Karatantcheva 6-0 6-1 to reach the third round of Wimbledon today.
Such was the extent of the Russian star’s dominance she allowed her 15-year-old opponent only four points throughout a second set which lasted all of 19 minutes.
Those points gave Karantantcheva her only game of the match and led to the sustained and sympathetic applause of the Court One crowd.
The underdog has made a name for herself with rash pronouncements about her talent and looked set to live up to her words in the first game of the match.
Karatantcheva fashioned two break points on the Sharapova serve but failed to take her chances in a marathon opener and the scene was set.
Sharapova’s irresistible force made the difference time and time again while her opponent’s impetuous approach sent her unforced error count through the stratosphere.
The champion was clearly in no mood to be tested, pumping the air on big points and efficiently wrapping up the first set in 27 minutes.
Any hopes Karatantcheva might have had of getting back into the match were obliterated in a lightning start to the second, when Sharapova reeled off point after point and left her opponent shrugging and smiling at her All England Club misfortune.
