Russians impress at Roland Garros

The Russian contingent at Roland Garros have enjoyed a successful day with number two seed Maria Sharapova leading the charge into the women’s fourth round.

Elena Bovina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Nadia Petrova were also victorious, joining Elena Dementieva and Elena Likhovtseva in the next round to give Russia six players in the last 16, while Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne also progressed.

Sharapova had little trouble disposing of another Russian, Anna Chakvetadze, 6-1 6-4, but is expecting bigger challenges ahead.

“I think as the rounds go on, it’s going to be a lot tougher than it is right now,” she said. “I know that as the matches go on, I have to raise my level another notch, but I guess when you play a tougher opponent, that naturally comes and you naturally raise your level higher.”

That challenge may not come from Nuria Llagostera Vives, ranked 46th in the world and who faces Sharapova in the next round, but the Spaniard upset the French crowd by knocking out number 13 seed Nathalie Dechy 7-6 (7/1) 6-3.

Sixth-seeded Kuznetsova can certainly expect a tough match after edging past American Marissa Irvin 6-1 2-6 6-0 as she is now up against the resurgent Henin-Hardenne.

The number 10 seed stretched her winning streak to 20 matches after coming from a set down to beat Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Number 12 seed Bovina did little to improve the atmosphere amongst the home fans by beating Tatiana Golovin 6-3 7-5 and will now meet seventh-seeded Petrova, who easily beat Israel’s Shahar Peer 6-3 6-1.

French hopes were dealt a further blow as Emmanuelle Gagliardi knocked out Emilie Loit, winning 4-6 6-3 6-3 to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.

The Swiss will now take on Bulgaria’s Sesil Karatantcheva, conqueror of Venus Williams, for a place in the last eight.