My OperaMaria Sharapova edges Wozniacki in Key Biscayne semis
Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:17:13 PM
Maria Sharapova has reached her fourth Sony Ericsson Open final after overcoming Caroline Wozniacki in an ill-tempered semi-final on Thursday.
Second-seeded Sharapova, a three-time runner-up at the Miami event, battled back from a set down to triumph 4-6 6-2 6-4, however opponent Wozniacki could find herself in hot water after refusing to shake hands with the chair umpire at the end of the match.
Sharapova clinched the two-hour 34 minute battle on the second match point, but she needed the umpire to overrule a call after her serve was initially called long.
Umpire Kader Nouni disagreed, saying it was on the line, and although the television video replay backed up Nouni the decision incensed Wozniacki.
Sharapova stepped up for her second serve then worked her way into position so she could eventually hit an easy forehand smash at the net for the winner.
The Russian now boasts a perfect 4-0 record in semi-finals at Miami and she will await either Agnieszka Radwanska or Marion Bartoli as she seeks a 25th career title.
She had a point for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but Wozniacki clawed her way back, winning five games in a row to pinch the set.
Sharapova raced into a 4-0 lead in the second as she continued to with a more aggressive game, and this time she there was no comeback from the former world number one.
After taking the match into a third set, Sharapova broke Wozniacki in the seventh game of the decider to make it 5-2.
Trailing 30-40, Wozniacki attempted a forehand drop-shot that landed just short giving Sharapova the break and allowing her to serve for the match, which, after much controversy, she did.
"I started out well and then I just had a concentration drop but I am happy I pulled it through," said Sharapova, who hit 55 winners with 46 unforced errors in direct contrast to her opponent, who made only 13 winners with 25 errors.
"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."
Source: Sky Sports
Second-seeded Sharapova, a three-time runner-up at the Miami event, battled back from a set down to triumph 4-6 6-2 6-4, however opponent Wozniacki could find herself in hot water after refusing to shake hands with the chair umpire at the end of the match.
Sharapova clinched the two-hour 34 minute battle on the second match point, but she needed the umpire to overrule a call after her serve was initially called long.
Umpire Kader Nouni disagreed, saying it was on the line, and although the television video replay backed up Nouni the decision incensed Wozniacki.
Sharapova stepped up for her second serve then worked her way into position so she could eventually hit an easy forehand smash at the net for the winner.
The Russian now boasts a perfect 4-0 record in semi-finals at Miami and she will await either Agnieszka Radwanska or Marion Bartoli as she seeks a 25th career title.
She had a point for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but Wozniacki clawed her way back, winning five games in a row to pinch the set.
Sharapova raced into a 4-0 lead in the second as she continued to with a more aggressive game, and this time she there was no comeback from the former world number one.
After taking the match into a third set, Sharapova broke Wozniacki in the seventh game of the decider to make it 5-2.
Trailing 30-40, Wozniacki attempted a forehand drop-shot that landed just short giving Sharapova the break and allowing her to serve for the match, which, after much controversy, she did.
"I started out well and then I just had a concentration drop but I am happy I pulled it through," said Sharapova, who hit 55 winners with 46 unforced errors in direct contrast to her opponent, who made only 13 winners with 25 errors.
"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."
Source: Sky Sports
