Maria Bartoli Views

General Goods

After withdrawing from the Fed Cup, her first foray into the US Open Series ended in a defeat at Stanford. Seeded 2nd, Bartoli faced American wildcard Lilia Osterloh in the second round and lost 5–7, 6–4, 6–3. Bartoli suffered a leg injury in the first set which had further hindered her movement; she also cited fatigue and illness as contributing factors to the loss. In San Diego, Bartoli edged past Aiko Nakamura 7–6(4), 6–1 after a first round bye, but lost to Elena Dementieva in the third round 6–4, 7–5. This loss was perhaps seen as surprising because Bartoli had won their last two meetings, including losing just one game at Eastbourne. Despite the loss, Bartoli claimed that her level of play was fine, however she lost her next match in Los Angeles to an in-form Maria Kirilenko 7–6, 6–3 after receiving a bye to the second round.

Bartoli picked up her form in Toronto, winning consecutive matches for the first time since Wimbledon. She beat Maria Kirilenko and Dinara Safina but retired in her quarterfinal match against Yan Zi when trailing 6–2, 3–0. At New Haven, she beat Virginia Ruano Pascual 6–0, 6–4 before losing to Elena Dementieva once again 6–4, 6–2.

Bartoli then competed at the 2010 French Open as the 12th seed and French No.1 with only 1 win on clay under her belt. She drew Maria Elena Camerin in the first round and she beat her 6–2, 6–3. In the second round she defeated compatriot and wildcard Olivia Sanchez 7–5, 6–2. She was defeated by Israeli Shahar Pe'er in the third round 7–6(7), 6–2.

Bartoli then entered the 2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open in Cincinnati and was seeded 16th. She defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 6–4, 6–0 in the first round and Alona Bondarenko 7–6(4), 6–1 in the second round. In the third round, she came back from a break down 3–4 in the first set to defeat No.2 seed and World No.3 Caroline Wozniacki 6–4, 6–1. In the quarterfinals, she was defeated by 10th seed Maria Sharapova 1–6 4–6.