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PARIS, May 29 - The presence of Maria Sharapova
will spice up a Centre Court programme already featuring the
duel between Rafael Nadal and Lleyton Hewitt as third round
action begins at the French Open on Friday. Nadal, chasing a record fifth consecutive victory at Roland
Garros, will be third on the Philippe Chatrier Court. "Always, it's a very tough match to play against Lleyton. I
have to play well to have chances to win, so that's what I want
(to) try," said the 22-year-old world number one, who boasts a
30-0 record at Roland Garros. "If I play my best tennis, I'm going to have chances." Former world number one Sharapova, back from a nine-month
injury layoff, will end proceedings on the main stage against
unheralded Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova on Centre Court as the hype
around the Russian is growing in Paris. Sharapova, who was booed off court when she was knocked out
of the French Open in 2007 and 2008, will have the opportunity
to make amends with the crowd by prolonging her stay in Paris. World number one Dinara Safina has been relegated to Court
One for her match against fellow Russian Anastasia
Pavlyuchenkova as she continues her bid for a maiden grand slam
title after demolishing her two previous opponents. "For Safina, it's maybe the time for her to go to the next
step," four-times French Open champion Justine Henin said on
Thursday. World number three Andy Murray of Britain will face another
test of his claycourt credentials when he will close the day on
Suzanne Lenglen Court against big-serving Janko Tipsarevic of
Serbia. Holder Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, seeded eighth, will take on
Czech Iveta Benesova, seeded 32nd. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar; To
query or comment on this story email
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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