At Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal’s dominance on clay is legendary, but Maria Sharapova has also carved out an impressive record on the women’s side. Since 2012, she has lost just once in Paris, winning two French Open titles along the way.
On Friday, Sharapova advanced to the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Samantha Stosur. The win was even more meaningful as she has been battling a cold all week, coughing frequently and opting for warmer attire instead of her usual dress.
Sharapova admitted she wasn’t feeling her best but pushed through. “I’m getting better. I might not sound like it, but I am,” she said. The relief was evident when she sealed the win, calling it a rewarding moment after a difficult start to the week.
Stosur, who came in on a hot streak after winning in Strasbourg, couldn’t find her rhythm. Despite opportunities, her errors cost her against Sharapova, who will now face Lucie Safarova. Both players struggled at times, but Sharapova’s consistency at Roland Garros once again proved decisive.
