Sharapova battles past Kerber into Porsche final
Source: Agencies |
April 28, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DEFENDING champion Maria Sharapova came from behind in the third set to beat Angelique Kerber 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in Stuttgart yesterday and earn a spot in the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The top-seeded Russian committed two consecutive double-faults to drop her serve at the start of the decisive set. But Sharapova won the last eight points and clinched the match when her third-seeded German opponent hit a backhand long. Sharapova had wasted a chance to serve out the match in the ninth game after taking a 5-3 lead.
Sharapova will play either second-seeded Li Na of China or American qualifier Bethani Mattek-Sands for the title in the indoor claycourt tournament today.
After winning in Stuttgart last year, Sharapova went on to win the French Open as well. The Russian has played three three-set matches this time round at the tournament.
On Friday, world No. 5 Li withstood a late comeback from Petra Kvitova to beat the fifth-seeded Czech 6-3, 7-5.
Mattek-Sands advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 win over German Sabine Lisicki.
Meanwhile, rain delayed the start of the semifinals at the Barcelona Open yesterday with organizers hoping it would clear later in the afternoon.
Steady rain which fell all morning prevented the start of the day's first match between Spain's Nicolas Almagro and German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Crowd favorite and seven-time winner Rafael Nadal was later scheduled to face Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic.
Nadal won back-to-back matches to advance to the semifinals on Friday.
After rain forced several third-round matches to be pushed back on Thursday, Nadal started the day by beating Benoit Paire of France 7-6 (2), 6-2. The fifth-ranked Spaniard then defeated Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-0.
The top-seeded Russian committed two consecutive double-faults to drop her serve at the start of the decisive set. But Sharapova won the last eight points and clinched the match when her third-seeded German opponent hit a backhand long. Sharapova had wasted a chance to serve out the match in the ninth game after taking a 5-3 lead.
Sharapova will play either second-seeded Li Na of China or American qualifier Bethani Mattek-Sands for the title in the indoor claycourt tournament today.
After winning in Stuttgart last year, Sharapova went on to win the French Open as well. The Russian has played three three-set matches this time round at the tournament.
On Friday, world No. 5 Li withstood a late comeback from Petra Kvitova to beat the fifth-seeded Czech 6-3, 7-5.
Mattek-Sands advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 win over German Sabine Lisicki.
Meanwhile, rain delayed the start of the semifinals at the Barcelona Open yesterday with organizers hoping it would clear later in the afternoon.
Steady rain which fell all morning prevented the start of the day's first match between Spain's Nicolas Almagro and German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Crowd favorite and seven-time winner Rafael Nadal was later scheduled to face Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic.
Nadal won back-to-back matches to advance to the semifinals on Friday.
After rain forced several third-round matches to be pushed back on Thursday, Nadal started the day by beating Benoit Paire of France 7-6 (2), 6-2. The fifth-ranked Spaniard then defeated Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-0.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
