Re: [大威] 表演賽訊息
Venus/Srichaphan def Maria/Udomchoke 8-6
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Beautiful start to the New Year
Tor Chittinand watches Maria Sharapova beat Venus Williams in an entertaining
exhibition in Hua Hin yesterday
Maria Sharapova got off to a bright start to the new season when she beat
Venus Williams 6-3, 6-4 yesterday in an exhibition match between two former
top-ranked players.
In a warm-up ahead of this month's Australian Open, both players appeared to
be troubled by the baking heat as the temperature in the seaside resort
reached 39 degrees Celsius.
The encounter was part of the celebrations to mark Hua Hin's 100th
anniversary and was presided over by Suwat Liptapanlop, president of the Lawn
Tennis Association of Thailand.
Before a packed crowd, world No 14 Sharapova displayed a solid and fierce
baseline game to put Williams away in just one hour and 34 minutes, and
record her first win over the American since 2007.
Sharapova took a 4-1 lead before the 2008 Wimbledon champion broke the
Russian to cut the deficit to 5-3. However, Sharapova was too strong and won
the first set 6-3.
In the second set, both players held their serves until the final game when
world No 6 Williams missed two forehands to lose the match.
''It's good to be back and I was glad to play against Venus in my first match
of the year,'' said the 22-year-old Russian who also defeated Williams in an
exhibition match in Chiang Mai at the start of 2005.
''I still remember when I first came to Thailand before. I was still young
and had a great match with Venus.
''I will start practice now and use this beautiful hot weather to prepare for
the Australian Open. I grew up in Florida. It's warm and humid there so here
it's okay for me.''
When asked about Thailand, Sharapova said: ''I love the people. They greet
you from your first step off the plane and you feel warm.
''They make you feel like you are a part of them and a part of the culture. I
love the food like khao (rice) and different spices.''
Sharapova, who suffered a shoulder injury last year, said she hopes to stay
healthy for the whole season.
Williams, who will be chasing her first Australian Open title when she heads
to Melbourne, acknowledged she was a little bit behind the pace after the
off-season.
''Maria played so well and I was slow in my first match of the season but it
was good to be here hitting the ball,'' Williams said.
''Although I lost, my overall performance was pretty good. When I play with
Maria, I have to play 100% to beat her.''
She said she likes local arts and knows a few Thai words, most of them for
shopping.
''I know a few words to bargain like lod noi (reduce the price a bit) and
paeng pai (too expensive),'' said the American.
''I'm always ready for the bargain. It is part of competition on and off the
court.''
After their match, Williams teamed up with Danai Udomchoke to play Sharapova
and Paradorn Srichaphan in a mixed doubles match.
Williams and Paradorn beat Danai and Sharapova 8-6 after an entertaining
spectacle.
''I enjoyed playing with Paradorn,'' said Williams. ''He's a great player and
has done so many great things for Thai tennis.'' said Williams.
About Paradorn's hair style, Williams said: ''It's cool!''
On Paradorn's hair, Sharapova said: ''It looks like a Mohawk, nothing new in
my country.''
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※ 編輯: VWilliams 來自: 140.120.231.132 (01/03 04:11)
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