Serena, Maria Sharapova set for Miami final rematch
28 March 2014 5:08 AM IST
Sharapova, who has not beaten the world number one American since 2004 and has lost 14 consecutive matches in the rivalry, regained her big-match confidence after twice being pushed to three sets by defeating Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-1.
Top seed Williams pounded German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2, taking 62 minutes and ending with seven aces and four breaks of serve in windy conditions. ‘When the wind picked up I just had to concentrate,’ said Williams, who holds six Miami titles. ‘I felt better today than in any of my other matches. ‘When you’re facing a top-10 player, you have to lift your game, That’s what I was able to do.’
Fourth seed Sharapova’s 90-minute victory over the Kvitova, a fellow Wimbledon champion, was a relief for five-time Miami finalist Sharapova, who had faced huge battle in her previous two victories.
This time, it was relatively straightforward for the crowd-pleaser as she bids for her first Miami crown. ‘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.
Murray sets up Djokovic date, Rafa Nadal wins
MIAMI: Unruffled by a bomb scare that locked down the Sony Open late on Tuesday, world number one Rafael Nadal brushed past Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-2.
Murray dispatched French 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-1 while second seed Djokovic gave away a second-set point in a sporting gesture to Tommy Robredo during a 6-3, 7-5 triumph.
Top seed Williams pounded German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2, taking 62 minutes and ending with seven aces and four breaks of serve in windy conditions. ‘When the wind picked up I just had to concentrate,’ said Williams, who holds six Miami titles. ‘I felt better today than in any of my other matches. ‘When you’re facing a top-10 player, you have to lift your game, That’s what I was able to do.’
Fourth seed Sharapova’s 90-minute victory over the Kvitova, a fellow Wimbledon champion, was a relief for five-time Miami finalist Sharapova, who had faced huge battle in her previous two victories.
This time, it was relatively straightforward for the crowd-pleaser as she bids for her first Miami crown. ‘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.
Murray sets up Djokovic date, Rafa Nadal wins
MIAMI: Unruffled by a bomb scare that locked down the Sony Open late on Tuesday, world number one Rafael Nadal brushed past Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-2 6-2.
Murray dispatched French 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-1 while second seed Djokovic gave away a second-set point in a sporting gesture to Tommy Robredo during a 6-3, 7-5 triumph.
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