Sharapova to meet Li in Rome finale
Source: Agencies |
May 20, 2012, Sunday
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RUSSIAN defending champion Maria Sharapova beat Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4 in Rome to set up an Italian Open final against Li Na of China.
Sharapova advanced in 89 minutes against Kerber, whose move into the WTA top-10 tomorrow will complete a line-up for 10 different nationalities at the summit of the women's game.
Li, who will defend her French Open title when the grand slam starts a week from today, reached the title match at the Foro Italico without hitting a ball in her semifinal as opponent Serena Williams withdrew, claiming back pain but admitting the pullout was really just a precaution.
"When I was warming up this morning, I was really looking forward to playing against one of the best players ever," said Li, who has not won a title since her triumph in Paris a year ago.
"Of course I'm happy to reach the final but I don't like winning like that."
Sharapova earned revenge against 12th seed Kerber for losing to the German at the Paris Indoors in February after beating her only a few weeks earlier in the Australian Open third round.
The Russian world No. 2, whose Rome trophy was one of two she lifted in 2011, ended with 27 winners and 25 unforced errors, breaking four times. Kerber managed only nine winners but did put her opponent under pressure in each set before finally losing.
Li beat Sharapova in last year's semifinals at the French Open. Sharapova won their last meeting in Miami this year.
On the men's side, Rafael Nadal was taking on fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and top-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia was playing Swiss Roger Federer later.
Williams said she expected to be 100 percent fit for the French Open. "If it's not 100 percent it's better not to play and make it worse," the American world No. 6 said.
Sharapova advanced in 89 minutes against Kerber, whose move into the WTA top-10 tomorrow will complete a line-up for 10 different nationalities at the summit of the women's game.
Li, who will defend her French Open title when the grand slam starts a week from today, reached the title match at the Foro Italico without hitting a ball in her semifinal as opponent Serena Williams withdrew, claiming back pain but admitting the pullout was really just a precaution.
"When I was warming up this morning, I was really looking forward to playing against one of the best players ever," said Li, who has not won a title since her triumph in Paris a year ago.
"Of course I'm happy to reach the final but I don't like winning like that."
Sharapova earned revenge against 12th seed Kerber for losing to the German at the Paris Indoors in February after beating her only a few weeks earlier in the Australian Open third round.
The Russian world No. 2, whose Rome trophy was one of two she lifted in 2011, ended with 27 winners and 25 unforced errors, breaking four times. Kerber managed only nine winners but did put her opponent under pressure in each set before finally losing.
Li beat Sharapova in last year's semifinals at the French Open. Sharapova won their last meeting in Miami this year.
On the men's side, Rafael Nadal was taking on fellow Spaniard David Ferrer and top-ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia was playing Swiss Roger Federer later.
Williams said she expected to be 100 percent fit for the French Open. "If it's not 100 percent it's better not to play and make it worse," the American world No. 6 said.
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