Sharapova and Jankovic survive scares in1st round at U.S. Open

No. 14 seed, Maria Sharapova, survived a 3-set scare in her match against No. 60 ranked, Jarmila Groth, while 4th seed, Jelena Jankovic was given a huge scare by 18-year-old Romanian Simona Halep.

Sharapova overcame a deficit and a big-hitting opponent to avoid a significant upset in the first round of the U.S. Open.

Sharapova, the 2006 champion at Flushing Meadows, played solidly and often safely while putting together a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over 60th-ranked Jarmila Groth of Australia on Tuesday.

Venus Williams cruises into 4th round

Five-time Wimbledon champion, and current World No. 2, Venus Williams, advanced to the 4th round of Wimbledon 2010 without really being challenged.

Her victims have been , 6-3, 6-2, Ekaterina Makarova, 6-0, 6-4, Alisa Kleybanova, 6-4, 6-2.

Venus’ next opponent will be No. 92 ranked Jarmila Groth.

Venus has had a rather easy draw. Looking ahead if she wins her next two matches, she could face Jelena Jankovic, Kim Clijsters, or Justine Henin in the semifinals.

Safina bounced out of French Open in 1st round

Ninth seed and former World No. 1 Dinara Safina of Russia came to a crashing halt in the French Open Tuesday as she was defeated by Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Safina, a beaten finalist here in 2008 and 2009, took the first set but Date Krumm stuck to her task and claimed victory on her first match point when the Russian sent a lazy backhand well beyond the baseline.

Date Krumm, 39, became the second oldest winner of a Roland Garros match after Virginia Wade and will face Australian wild card Jarmila Groth
Jarmila Groth in the second round.