Maria Sharapova was the biggest draw on Monday at the 2017 Bank of the West Classic (Wta Stanford). The Russian faced American Jennifer Brady in a first-round match, one that went the full three sets. However, despite the fact that a deciding set was played, the competition wasn't that close.
Sharapova won 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 while thoroughly outplaying her opponent with the exception of a bad patch in the 2nd set. All totaled, the Russian won 16 games to her opponent's 7 in advancing to the 2nd round.
Sharapova faces Tsurenko next, then maybe Keys
At this point in Sharapova's career, every win counts as she looks to bring her ranking back from obscurity.
With the win, Sharapova will likely jump up some 20 spots in the rankings even if she doesn't win another match in Stanford. Sharapova, who is a wild card in the 2017 Bank of the West Classic, will next face Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.
Tsurenko is the 7 seed in the WTA Stanford draw and she defeated Lara Arruabarrena on Monday in straight sets. The winner between Sharapova and Tsurenko will enter the quarterfinals with as much of a chance to win the Stanford title as anyone.
Madison Keys is the high seed in their section of the draw, however, it's not clear what the talented American brings to the table right now in terms of where her level of play is at. Keys has been back on tour since Indian Wells, however, she hasn't really been a dominant player in recent outings.
If she and Sharapova should face in the quarters the match promises to be interesting. It will feature two players that are both trying to rediscover their best tennis.
Preview for Tuesday's order of play
Other results from Monday saw Kayla Day advance with a win over Misaki Doi. Ana Konjuh, the 5th seed in the event, also advanced to the 2nd round.
The tournament will continue on Tuesday from California with an order of play that looks very thin for big names. Two highlights for American tennis fans include Coco Vandeweghe and Catherine Bellis, American talents that will be playing in separate matches. Vandeweghe will look to fend off Ajla Tomljanovic while Bellis will try to beat Alize Cornet of France.
Keys is also on the order of play, but only in the doubles draw. She will partner with Brady to face the top-seeded team of Raquel Atawo and Hao-Ching Chan. For Sharapova, she will next be in action on Wednesday in what will be a round-of-16 match. The top-two seeds in the event are Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova. Tennis fans should be looking for them to make their 2017 debut at the event on either Wednesday or Thursday.
