Maria Sharapova reached into semis of Sony Open

Miami: Five-time runner-up Maria Sharapova beat eighth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova 7-5 6-1 on Tuesday to reach the semis of the Sony Open.
With the victory Sharapova, who lost in the final last year to Serena Williams, sets up a possible final four showdown with the world number one.
The fourth-seeded Russian took control with a break to get back on level terms at 4-4 and then again to close out the first set. Sharapova then dominated the second set, storming through the first five games before a reeling Kvitova held her serve.

“I didn’t have a good first few games, so I was happy that I was steady, that I kept trying to do the right thing, kept trying to be aggressive,” said Sharapova. “I think that paid off as the match went on because I made a few too many unforced errors in the beginning.”

The two have clashed three times on the Miami hardcourts, Williams winning all three.

“It’s no secret that she’s been a big challenge of mine, an opponent that obviously I would love to beat,” said Sharapova, looking ahead to a possible rematch. “There are certainly ways that I need to step up in certain situations that I haven’t been able to do in the past against her.

“But it’s great that I have come to that stage and have the opportunity to play her again.”