Sharapova moves step closer to top ranking

Maria Sharapova moved a step closer to the No. 1 ranking, overcoming some erratic moments before beating Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round of the Italian Open on Wednesday.
 
With top-ranked Justine Henin announcing her retirement, Sharapova is poised to move to No. 1 next week -- depending on if and when Henin asks the WTA Tour to remove her from the rankings.
 
Sharapova is No. 2 and third-ranked Ana Ivanovic -- the tournament's top seed -- was upset by Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
 
Sharapova has been ranked No. 1 three times before, for a total of 14 weeks, the last time in 2007.
 
"The ranking has never been a big deal for me," Sharapova said. "My goal is just to keep winning tennis matches and the ranking will take care of itself."
 
She required seven set points to close out the first set, and struggled with her serve in the second and third before ultimately overpowering her Slovakian opponent, who had nearly a 12-inch height disadvantage.
 
Sharapova served for the match at 5-3 in the third and double-faulted twice before missing a forehand to hand Cibulkova a break. However, the Russian broke back to close out the match in 2 hours, 50 minutes.
 
"I knew I had a really tough opponent," Sharapova said. "I guess I can just say I'm lucky to get through it."
 
Sharapova committed 58 unforced errors to Cibulkova's 37 and also had 13 double faults.
 
Ivanovic also struggled with her serve and consistency, committing 59 unforced errors to Pironkova's 26.
 
"I felt quite flat out there and I found it a struggle to find my rhythm and to find something inside to fight," Ivanovic said. "I really struggled with my intensity today, and that obviously caused a lot of errors."
 
Ivanovic missed this French Open warmup the past two years because of injuries. At the German Open last week, Ivanovic lost to Elena Dementieva in the semifinals.
 
The 64th-ranked Pironkova also beat Venus Williams at the 2006 Australian Open.
 
Both Williams sisters advanced Wednesday, as did No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova and defending champion Jelena Jankovic.
 
Fifth-seeded Serena Williams routed Alona Bondarenko 6-2, 6-0 and No. 7 Venus Williams overcame an early challenge from Samantha Stosur before beating the Australian player 6-4, 6-1.
 
Venus had been out for a month with an unspecified medical problem, which she would still not discuss in detail.
 
"I feel much better. I went to the doctor and got a lot of suggestions, and I went home and worked on it," she said. "I just worked very hard during that time that I was off the court with my fitness, and I think it's made a big difference."
 
Venus won this tournament in 1999 and was the runner-up in 1998. Her best result since then was a semifinal appearance two years ago.
 
Kuznetsova, last year's runner-up, routed Olga Govortsova 6-2, 6-0, and the fourth-seeded Jankovic beat Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-4.
 
Another Italian, Sara Errani, upset No. 11 Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-0, 6-3.
 
Also, No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-0; No. 8 Marion Bartoli edged Virginie Razzano 6-4, 7-5; and No. 10 Vera Zvonareva beat Iveta Benesova 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
 
Ninth-seeded Patty Schnyder, Maria Kirilenko and Alize Cornet each won two matches Wednesday because several from the first round were pushed back due to rain Tuesday.

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