Serena sets up delicious final against Sharapova
Source: Agencies |
March 30, 2013, Saturday
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MARIA Sharapova keeps drawing a different opponent in the Sony Open final, and has yet to find one she can beat.
Now she faces Serena Williams.
Sharapova, a four-time runner-up, earned another berth in the final by beating Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday in Key Biscayne, Florida. Eight hours later, five-time champion Williams advanced when she beat defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-3.
Sharapova has lost the Sony Open final to four different players - Kim Clijsters in 2005, Svetlana Kuznetsova in '06, Victoria Azarenka in '11 and Radwanska last year. The No. 1-ranked Williams might be the toughest matchup for her yet.
Sharapova is 2-11 against Williams, with both of the wins way back in 2004. Williams has won their past 10 meetings and their past 13 sets.
"They have been pretty quick matches," Sharapova said. "She's a tremendous athlete, has so much power, and a confident player as well. So if you have a few games where you're not stepping in and not playing the way you should be, she takes really good advantage of it."
Palm Beach Gardens resident Williams considers Key Biscayne her home tournament, and she was at her best before a near-capacity crowd for the match.
"So many of my friends are here," Williams said. My family is here. I have to do well here. I can't let my friends down."
Andy Murray advanced to the semifinals by beating Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3. Murray's opponent will be Richard Gasquet, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3. The other semifinal will match David Ferrer against Tommy Haas.
Now she faces Serena Williams.
Sharapova, a four-time runner-up, earned another berth in the final by beating Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday in Key Biscayne, Florida. Eight hours later, five-time champion Williams advanced when she beat defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-3.
Sharapova has lost the Sony Open final to four different players - Kim Clijsters in 2005, Svetlana Kuznetsova in '06, Victoria Azarenka in '11 and Radwanska last year. The No. 1-ranked Williams might be the toughest matchup for her yet.
Sharapova is 2-11 against Williams, with both of the wins way back in 2004. Williams has won their past 10 meetings and their past 13 sets.
"They have been pretty quick matches," Sharapova said. "She's a tremendous athlete, has so much power, and a confident player as well. So if you have a few games where you're not stepping in and not playing the way you should be, she takes really good advantage of it."
Palm Beach Gardens resident Williams considers Key Biscayne her home tournament, and she was at her best before a near-capacity crowd for the match.
"So many of my friends are here," Williams said. My family is here. I have to do well here. I can't let my friends down."
Andy Murray advanced to the semifinals by beating Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3. Murray's opponent will be Richard Gasquet, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-3. The other semifinal will match David Ferrer against Tommy Haas.
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