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Sharapova reaches semis in Australian Open
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-24 15:25
Maria Sharapova survived two set points in an
error-filled opening tiebreaker and advanced to the Australian Open semifinals
with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win Tuesday over No. 6 Nadia Petrova.
Russia's Maria Sharapova makes a backhand
return to compatriot Nadia Petrova during their quarterfinal match at the
Australian Open Tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan.
24, 2006. [AP] |
Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, lost to eventual champion Serena
Williams in the semis here last season.
The fourth-seeded Sharapova faces another tough semifinal, against the winner
of the day's later quarterfinal between No. 1 Lindsay Davenport and Justine
Henin-Hardenne, the reigning French Open and 2004 Australian titlist.
Petrova struggled with her serve and finished with 12 double-faults,
including one serving for the first set at 6-5, another facing set point in the
tiebreaker and one to surrender another break at 1-3 in the second.
In tears at times and spiking her racket into the court at the baseline and
from a courtside chair during a changeover, a frustrated Petrova finished with
16 winners and 49 unforced errors.
Sharapova, who had 15 winners and 36 unforced errors,
fended off three break points in the last game before winning five in a row to
make it 3-0 against fellow Russian Petrova in three straight Grand Slam
quarterfinals.
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