News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 12 years ago
Home  » Sports » Madrid Open: Serena sweeps past Sharapova into semis

Madrid Open: Serena sweeps past Sharapova into semis

May 11, 2012 20:00 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Serena Williams blew away fellow former number one Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 to join top seed Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals at the Madrid Open on Friday.

The American ninth seed extended her winning streak over the Russian World No. 2 to seven in a row and to eight from 10 meetings, since they first clashed in Miami back in 2004.

Serena WilliamsWilliams, unbeaten on clay this season, battered down 11 aces, including one on a second serve at break-point in the seventh game of the second set, which seemed to end any hopes Sharapova may have had of coming back into the match.

She will meet either fifth-seed Samantha Stosur or Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka in the semi-finals.

World No. 1 Azarenka was made to battle hard to overcome Roland Garros champion Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The Belarussian, runner up in Madrid last year, looked to be cruising at 4-1 up in the third before China's Li broke back.

Li was unable to take advantage of four break-point chances, however, and 36 unforced errors told its own story.

Photograph: Jasper Juinen / Getty Images

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

New Zealand's tour of India 2024

New Zealand's Tour Of India, 2024