Sharapova battles past Kerber into Porsche final
Source: Agencies |
April 28, 2013, Sunday
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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.
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