US Open 2014: Maria Sharapova gets ‘goosebumps’ after opening win
US Open 2014: Maria Sharapova eases to a 6-4 6-0 victory over Maria Kirilenko on Arthur Ashe on Monday night
Maria Sharapova admitted that she still gets goosebumps playing night matches on Arthur Ashe at US Open after a straightforward victory over Maria Kirilenko.
The fifth seed booked her place in the second round at Flushing Meadows courtesy of a 6-4 6-0 victory over fellow Russian Kirilenko in a brisk hour-and-a-half.
You feel the goosebumps when you go out on a night match on Arthur Ashe
Maria Sharapova
And Sharapova, who beat Simona Halep to win the French Open earlier this year, played down the significance of her 17-0 record in night matches at the US Open.
“I’m not really sure,” Sharapova said.
“This is usually the time I’m sleeping, so I don’t know. You’d actually think it was the opposite.
“In the beginning of my career it was always a bit more challenging because I didn’t really know how to adjust to what I should do during the day, but I’ve certainly learned a lot. I know the waiting game a bit better than when I was a junior or a teenager.
“Now I really enjoy it. You feel the goosebumps when you go out on a night match on Arthur Ashe.”
Meanwhile, second seed Halep admitted she found her 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Danielle Rose Collins a “big challenge”.
“The first round of a tournament is really difficult,” Halep said.
“It was a big challenge for me today because I played the first match of the tournament on center court. It’s not easy to manage the situation. But I think after the first set I did very well and played much better than the first set.
“I started a little bit nervous, but it’s normal. And she was playing really well, as well.”
Elsewhere, Agnieszka Radwanska, Angelique Kerber, Jelenka Jankovic and Caroline Wozniacki all wrapped up victories to progress at Flushing Meadows.
