Sharapova fights off Schnyder, French fans

Published Monday, June 4, 2007

PARIS (AP) - Not even thousands of booing fans could ruin the moment for Maria Sharapova.

After saving two match points and breaking Patty Schnyder in the 16th game of the third set to reach the French Open quarterfinals with a 3-6, 6-4, 9-7 win, the Russian smiled and waved through the jeers at Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The spectators turned on Sharapova at 7-7 in the final set yesterday, when she won a disputed point while serving at 30-love. Schnyder watched a serve land in then complained she had held up a hand to call for time.

The chair umpire ruled the point would count, giving Sharapova her first ace of the tournament. Sharapova said later she didn’t see Schnyder’s hand until after hitting the ball - and had no regrets about what happened.

"It’s pretty hard being a tennis player and Mother Teresa at the same time," Sharapova said. "You’re fighting for every single point out there."

Schnyder was one point away from ending the match in the 10th game and again in the 14th - and she also was two points away from victory on 11 occasions.

But Sharapova stayed positive throughout.

"Don’t count on me giving up," the two-time Grand Slam champion said.

Serena Williams and Justine Henin also won yesterday, setting up a quarterfinal showdown, while Roger Federer advanced in the men’s draw.

Today’s schedule featured the four remaining men’s fourth-round matches, including two-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal against two-time major champion Lleyton Hewitt.

Sharapova will next face No. 9 Anna Chakvetadze, who beat No. 25 Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 0-6, 6-2. Williams beat Dinara Safina of Russia 6-2, 6-3, while two-time defending champion Henin beat No. 20 Sybille Bammer of Austria 6-2, 6-4.

No. 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova, No. 4 Jelena Jankovic, No. 6 Nicole Vaidisova and No. 7 Ana Ivanovic also advanced.

Federer advanced by beating No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4. The top-ranked Swiss star tied the Open era record for most consecutive sets won at Grand Slams, taking his streak to 35.