WHAT HAPPENED: Maria Sharapova's US Open starting point was not the prettiest of wins but, in the end, it got the job done.
In the final match of Day 2 in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Russian dispatched of qualifier Patty Schnyder, 6-2, 7-6, to advance to the second round in one hour and 50 minutes.
Schnyder, who held a 7-1 lifetime advantage over Sharapova and were meeting for the first time since 2008, became the oldest player to reach the main draw at a Grand Slam via qualifying in the Open Era. However, the fairytale run came to an end.
"She still has incredible hands, moves incredibly well for being out of the game for so long, still very competitive," said Sharapova. "I was just saying it took me, like, 15 years to dropshot Patty Schnyder and win a point. Doesn't happen that often against Patty."
The Russian managed to take the first set 6-2, breaking all four of Schnyder’s service games. There were no signs of slowing down in the second as Sharapova ran out to a 5-1 lead. Schnyder, however, halted the smooth sailing, taking the next four consecutive games to level at 5-5. The 39-year-old managed to reach a tiebreak and saved three match points, only to falter at the finish. A blazing Sharapova forehand sealed the deal.
The US Open continues to be happy hunting grounds for the 2006 champion as she improved to 12-0 in first round matches at Flushing Meadows. The former World No. 1 moves into sole possession of third place for most US Open wins among active player with 36, trailing only Venus Williams (76) and Serena Williams (89).
Even with the crowd on her side it was not a sharp match from Sharapova, who fired four doubles faults in her first two service games alone and racked up nine for the night. The 31-year-old launched 23 winners compared to 46 unforced errors, a ratio she will surely look to improve upon.
WHAT IT MEANS: Sharapova, who 12 months ago sat at No. 146, has steadily climbed the rankings to No. 22. The veteran finds herself pitted in the quarter of pain with the likes of Angelique Kerber, Caroline Garcia, Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys.
Although formidable forces loom ahead, Sharapova herself is a dark horse to content with. On the hard courts, Sharapova has a .781 career win percentage on the surface with only Serena Williams owning a better record among active players. In Montreal, she picked up her fifth Top 20 win of the season over Daria Kasatkina.
Although the road to best her round of 16 finish from last year is not simple, Sharapova next faces Sorana Cirstea. In her last four US Open appearances, Sharapova managed to reach the semifinals and two rounds of 16 (2017, 2014, 2012).
MATCH POINT:: Sharapova converted 6/10 break points while Schnyder managed 4/10. The two combined for just 27 winners on the night, Schnyder being held to just four.
