Sharapova races to Key Biscayne final
Source: Agencies |
March 31, 2012, Saturday
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MARIA Sharapova advanced to the Sony Ericsson Open final in Key Biscayne, Florida, by beating Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday in a two and a half hour battle.
The Russian will play Agnieszka Radwanska in today's final after the Pole beat France's Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2 to reach the biggest final of her career.
Second seed Sharapova, who has lost in all three of her previous finals in Miami, will start as clear favorite after another solid showing against Wozniacki.
The Russian was ahead early but lost the first set after her serve disappeared, allowing Wozniacki to win five consecutive games and take command of the match.
But the Russian recovered in the second set, striking the ball with impressive power. "I could have easily, after losing a few straight games, let concentration down, I could have easily just gone down in the second set," said Sharapova.
"But I really stepped it up again. I went out there and started being aggressive. I didn't stop after I put myself in a good position. I'm extremely pleased that I pulled it out today."
Wozniacki stuck at her task however and with Sharapova serving for the match at 5-3 she broke, forcing two errors out of the Russian after winning a rally with a magnificent backhand cross-court winner.
The Dane held serve and then faced Sharapova serving for the match again.
There was a controversial finish when Sharapova's serve at 40-15 was initially ruled out but the call was overruled by the chair umpire, who ordered the point to be replayed.
Wozniacki, whose return had found the net, protested the decision but with no challenges remaining she was stuck with the verdict and Sharapova subsequently wrapped up the win with a smart volley.
Wozniacki, angry about the overrule, declined to shake umpire Kader Nouni's hand and had words with him as she walked to the exit.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic advanced to the men's semifinals without argument, beating No. 5 David Ferrer 6-2, 7-6 (1). Djokovic lost a remarkable 40-shot rally that had spectators gasping as it progressed, but he played a nearly flawless tiebreaker to seal the victory.
"Coming into this tournament, I was confident," Djokovic said. "And I feel that I am playing better and better as the tournament goes on."
Djokovic's next opponent will be No. 21 Juan Monaco.
The Russian will play Agnieszka Radwanska in today's final after the Pole beat France's Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2 to reach the biggest final of her career.
Second seed Sharapova, who has lost in all three of her previous finals in Miami, will start as clear favorite after another solid showing against Wozniacki.
The Russian was ahead early but lost the first set after her serve disappeared, allowing Wozniacki to win five consecutive games and take command of the match.
But the Russian recovered in the second set, striking the ball with impressive power. "I could have easily, after losing a few straight games, let concentration down, I could have easily just gone down in the second set," said Sharapova.
"But I really stepped it up again. I went out there and started being aggressive. I didn't stop after I put myself in a good position. I'm extremely pleased that I pulled it out today."
Wozniacki stuck at her task however and with Sharapova serving for the match at 5-3 she broke, forcing two errors out of the Russian after winning a rally with a magnificent backhand cross-court winner.
The Dane held serve and then faced Sharapova serving for the match again.
There was a controversial finish when Sharapova's serve at 40-15 was initially ruled out but the call was overruled by the chair umpire, who ordered the point to be replayed.
Wozniacki, whose return had found the net, protested the decision but with no challenges remaining she was stuck with the verdict and Sharapova subsequently wrapped up the win with a smart volley.
Wozniacki, angry about the overrule, declined to shake umpire Kader Nouni's hand and had words with him as she walked to the exit.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic advanced to the men's semifinals without argument, beating No. 5 David Ferrer 6-2, 7-6 (1). Djokovic lost a remarkable 40-shot rally that had spectators gasping as it progressed, but he played a nearly flawless tiebreaker to seal the victory.
"Coming into this tournament, I was confident," Djokovic said. "And I feel that I am playing better and better as the tournament goes on."
Djokovic's next opponent will be No. 21 Juan Monaco.
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