Posted at 6:32 a.m., Saturday, February 2, 2008
NFL: Sharapova gives Russia 1-1 Fed Cup tie with Israel
Associated Press
RAMAT HASHARON, Israel — Maria Sharapova defeated Tzipi Obziler 6-0, 6-4 in her first Fed Cup match, helping defending champion Russia tie Israel 1-1 in the first round today.Earlier, Israel's Shahar Peer rallied to defeat Dinara Safina 0-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Sharapova led 5-1 in the second set after sweeping the first before Obziler won three straight games with the support of the 6,000-capacity crowd at Ramat Hasharon Tennis Center.
At one stage, the crowd began imitating Sharapova's grunts each time she hit the ball.
"I don't mind it," Sharapova said. "It brings out the best in me. I love the atmosphere, the crowd and their craziness. It is what we live for. I got really anxious and excited as I was close to finishing my first Fed Cup match."
The 16th-ranked Safina broke in the opening game and won the first set in 25 minutes.
Peer, ranked No. 17, dropped serve to start the second set, but won four straight games to win it. She was broken in the opening game for the third time before winning six games in a row to close out the match.
Peer described the comeback as the best of her career.
"Every point that I won, I felt the crowd and it helped me, and I think it also affected her," Peer said.
The reverse singles on Sunday will be followed by the doubles. Anna Chakvetadze might replace Safina in the second reverse singles match against Obziler.
