May 27, 2009

Maria Sharapova- Getty Images

Her tenacity is paying off. Maria Sharapova may have needed three full sets and extra games to defeat the 11th-seeded Nadia Petrova 6-2, 1-6, 8-6 in the second round at the French Open on Wednesday, but she impressed many with her determination.

Playing with dressing on her surgically-repaired right shoulder, the unseeded Sharapova joined former Rogers Cup champions, top-seeded Dinara Safina (2008) and defending champion Ana Ivanovic (2006) in the next round at Roland Garros.

Trailing 4-2 in the deciding set, Sharapova broke Petrova to get back on serve at 4-4, and then saved two break points to take a 5-4 lead. She saved another break point while serving at 6-6. The Russian sweetheart, who is scheduled to return to Canada for this year’s Rogers Cup Toronto, is making her first Grand Slam appearance in almost a year after missing the U.S. Open and the Australian Open because of her shoulder injury.

The match was arguably the most exciting of the first week on the clay courts of Roland Garros. There were plenty of smiles from the former No. 1, something fans have been waiting almost a year to enjoy.

"I know it is going to take me a while to get back into the groove of playing tournaments and matches, but I am so excited to be competing again," Sharapova said.

Sharapova will now face Kazakh qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova for a place in the last 16 in Paris.