+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. Stéphanie Dubois, 6-4 6-2
Sometimes brilliant, sometimes erratic - that sums up Maria's performance in this match. She hit her groundstrokes with awesome power that dwarfed that of every other woman in the tournament, often blazing winners close to the lines.
But she also made some worrying unforced errors - most notably during a spell in the first set when she let a *4-1 lead become *4-3 with a break-point that would have made it 4-4*; instead, Maria consolidated her one remaining break to win the first set, and although she dropped serve at the start of the second, she broke back immediately, and powered to victory by winning the last five games from *1-2.
SHARAP *@*@ * * 6 DUBOIS * @* * 4
The match was second on Centre Court, and started at 13:11 BST.
Dubois serving 0-0: Maria, on the fourth stroke, hit a forehand long. 15/0. Maria hit a backhand return-winner down the line: on the sideline. 15/15. Crosscourt backhand return just wide. 30/15. Maria netted a cheap forehand return. 40/15. Maria hit a wild off-backhand return very wide.
Maria serving 0-1: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Dubois's backhand return clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Virtual ace out wide.
Dubois serving 1-1: First serve out wide forced Maria to net a forehand return. 15/0. Dubois spread Maria with a crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Dubois netted a backhand. 30/15. Maria's depth forced Dubois to hit a backhand wide. 30/30. Off-forehand return wide. 40/30. Dubois backhand long. Deuce #1. A long rally culminated with Maria opening up the court with a deep crosscourt backhand, but netting a down-the-line backhand. Ad Dubois. Maria's hard, deep shot forced Dubois to hit a backhand halfway up the net. Deuce #2. Dubois forehand just long. Ad Maria (BP). Dubois hit a crosscourt backhand just wide to give Maria the first break. Dubois kept dropping the ball and catching her toss in that service-game.
Maria serving 2-1: Serve out wide + huge crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. 15/0. Forehand return long. 30/0. Second serve: Dubois netted a backhand return. 40/0. Ace down the middle.
Dubois serving 1-3: Dubois hit an off-forehand winner back behind Maria. 15/0. Dubois netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/15. A rally with both players at the net ended with Maria hitting an off-backhand volley-winner. 15/30. Dubois went to the net behind a deep forehand; Maria hit a forehand pass that I thought was long, but I guess it must have dipped in for a winner. 15/40 (BP #1). Loose down-the-line forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Maria mishit a backhand lob-return long. Deuce #1. Maria hit a pinpoint off-backhand winner onto the sideline. Ad Maria (BP #3). Maria netted a forehand return. Deuce #2. Dubois's depth forced Maria to hit a loose crosscourt backhand wide. Ad Dubois. She netted a backhand. Deuce #3. Maria hit a well-disguised off-backhand drop-volley-winner from behind the baseline. Ad Maria (BP #4). Maria broke again with a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline.
At this point, Maria looked far too strong for her fellow 22-year-old, hitting brilliant winners close to the lines, but with a few loose shots too.
Maria serving 4-1: Dubois spread Maria, forcing her to hit a crosscourt backhand just wide. "No, no, no, no," said Maria. 0/15. Maria sprayed a crosscourt forehand wide. 0/30. An intriguing rally saw Maria take the early initiative, but Dubois hit a deep lob to recover... Maria's dropshot forced Dubois to net a forehand. 15/30. Double fault (second serve long - after catching her toss). 15/40 (BP #1). A good serve forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt backhand winner. 30/40 (BP #2). A weak mishit by Maria early in the rally allowed Dubois to dominate it, finishing with a down-the-line forehand winner back behind Maria to recover one of the breaks.
Dubois serving 2-4: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/0. Forehand return long. 30/0. Maria's return forced a short ball, which she dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/15. Serve down the middle forced Maria to net a forehand return. 40/15. Maria hit a wild forehand return very long. It was a bit windy now.
Maria serving 4-3: Maria hit a service-winner down the middle, but it was called a let. She hit an even better serve down the middle: a virtual ace. 15/0. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell wide). 15/15. Maria forced a short floater, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner that flew into Stand D, which was pretty scary from where I was sitting! 30/15. Maria netted a backhand. 30/30. Maria went to the net, but hit a poor backhand dropshot, and Dubois's down-the-line forehand induced her to net a backhand volley. 30/40 (BP #1). Service-winner down the middle. Deuce #1. A tense rally ended with Dubois netting a backhand. Maria said "c'mon!" Ad Maria. Ace down the middle + fist-pump. Dubois muttered - actually, it was more like singing!
Dubois serving 3-5: Maria, on the fourth stroke, netted a cheap backhand. 15/0. Backhand return just long. 30/0. Dubois went to the net, forcing Maria to hit an off-forehand wide. 40/0. Sloppy backhand return long.
Maria serving 5-4: A brave second serve forced Dubois to hit a forehand return just long. 15/0. Second serve: Dubois netted a forehand return. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0 (SP #1). Dubois dumped a forehand return halfway up the net. Maria won the first set 6-4 at 13:54 BST (43m). Dubois called her coach onto court.
SHARAP @ *@*@* 6 DUBOIS @* 2
Dubois serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve just long). 0/15. Quadruple fault (second serve into the net). 0/30. Dubois hit a good serve out wide, but put an off-forehand wide. 0/40 (BP). Maria, on the fourth stroke, broke with an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. Dubois glared at her coach, who presumably had advised her to go for bigger second serves.
Maria serving 1-0: Maria dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 0/15. Maria hit a backhand winner down the line. 15/15. Dubois went to the net, but her approach was too weak: Maria hit a backhand pass-winner down the line. 30/15. Maria played a great spreading rally, but put a down-the-line backhand would-be winner just wide. 30/30. Maria netted a forehand off a short, defensive ball from Dubois. 30/40 (BP). Double fault (Maria went for a big second serve, which landed just wide of the centre-line).
Dubois serving 1-1: Serve out wide: Maria hit a blazing crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. Maria dumped a cheap backhand return halfway up the net. 15/15. Forehand return long. 30/15. Dubois went to the net, Maria hit a weak sliced forehand pass, and Dubois hit an off-forehand volley-winner. 40/15. Maria tried to chip and charge, but didn't close in on the net, and netted a backhand volley.
Maria serving 1-2: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Dubois dumped an off-forehand return quarterway up the net. 30/0. Virtual ace down the middle. 40/0. Ace down the middle (on the service-line, curling away from Dubois).
Dubois serving 2-2: Dubois forehand just long. 0/15. Maria dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/15. Dubois sprayed a forehand long. 15/30. Maria, on the fourth stroke, hit a down-the-line backhand winner. 15/40 (BP). Maria broke with a blazing forehand return-winner down the line: right on the junction of sideline and baseline!
Maria serving 3-2: Maria's crosscourt forehand + off-forehand forced Dubois to hit a backhand long. 15/0. A big serve forced Dubois to hit a backhand return just long. 30/0. Maria went to the net, her off-forehand forcing Dubois to hit a backhand long. Dubois muttered and blew raspberries. 40/0. Serve out wide + forehand winner down the line.
Dubois serving 2-4: Forehand return long (after the bounce, it hit the back fence and reared up right in front of me). 15/0. Maria hit a forehand long - possibly induced by the wind. 30/0. Maria hit a deep forehand return down the line, forcing Dubois to hit a backhand lob wide. 30/15. Maria, stretched wide, hit a backhand return long. 40/15. Maria's return was amazingly low over the net, and on the sixth stroke, she hit an off-forehand winner. 40/30. Maria's deep return forced Dubois to hit a backhand half-volley long. Deuce #1. Dubois, on the third stroke, netted a forehand. Ad Maria (BP). Maria ran down a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner on the fourth stroke. Thus Maria broke after coming back from 40/15.
Maria serving 5-2: Maria hit a deep crosscourt forehand winner. 15/0. Dubois went to the net, but Maria pushed a forehand pass-winner down the line. 30/0. Ace out wide. 40/0 (MP #1). Dubois netted a forehand on the fourth stroke. Maria won 6-4 6-2 at 14:25 BST (second set 31m, match 1h14m).
Maria's on-court interview: "It was great. I feel like I really haven't played on grass for a couple of years. I felt like I'd get a suntan - I never thought I would in this country! We couldn't practise in Paris because of the rain. This stadium has grown up with me, and it's unfortunate that I couldn't play here last year."
Sharapova eases to Birmingham-win [CEEFAX 480->487]
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Former Wimbledon-champion Maria Sharapova eased to victory over Stéphanie Dubois on the first day of the AEGON Classic at Birmingham.
The 22-year-old - a two-time winner at the Edgbaston Priory Club - cruised to a 6-4 6-2 success over the Canadian.
Sharapova won at Edgbaston in 2004 and 2005, and is the star-attraction after recovering from a shoulder-injury.
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Sharapova storms through [Teletext 495->497]
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Sharapova strolls through [Teletext 497]
Two-time champion Maria Sharapova began her grass-court campaign wit a convincing win over Stéphanie Dubois in the AEGON Classic at Birmingham.
The former Wimbledon-champion raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set, but she was briefly pegged back to 4-3 before claiming the set 6-4.
Sharapova cruised through the second 6-2, and will face either Alexa Glatch or Bethanie Mattek-Sands next.
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Sharapova beats Dubois at AEGON Classic (AP)
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Maria Sharapova has beaten Stéphanie Dubois 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the AEGON Classic.
Sharapova begins grass-court season in style (Reuters)
(Writing by Tom Pilcher in London; editing by Ed Osmond)
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Former Wimbledon-champion Maria Sharapova started her grass-court season in convincing fashion with a 6-4 6-2 first-round win over Canada's Stéphanie Dubois in the Edgbaston Classic at Birmingham on Monday.
The 22-year-old Russian, who only returned to action last month after a shoulder-injury, fired down eight aces in the 73-minute match.
Sharapova reached the French Open quarter-finals before losing to Slovakian Dominika Cibulková, and she climbed 29 places to 73rd in the world-rankings on Monday.
In the second round, Sharapova will play American Alexa Glatch, who beat ninth-seeded compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
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Sharapova makes winning grass-return (AFP)
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Former world number-one Maria Sharapova cruised into the second round of the WTA Birmingham grasscourt event here on Monday with a 6-4 6-2 win over Canada's Stéphanie Dubois.
The unseeded 22-year-old Russian - twice a winner at the Edgbaston Priory Club - will now play American 19-year-old Alexa Glatch, who defeated ninth-seeded compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 7-6 (7/2) 6-3.
Sharapova - a three-time Major winner - reached the quarter-finals of the French Open last week after a 10-month absence due to a shoulder-injury.
It was Sharapova's first grass-court match of the season, but she raced into a 4-1 lead before surviving a break and closing out the set.
The 2004 Wimbledon-champion was broken again early in the second set, but hit back to break Dubois in games five and seven to complete a routine 74-minute victory.
Sharapova, who has risen to #73 in the world on the back of her French Open performance, said that she had felt right at home on the grass.
"I thought I did a really good job of getting into the groove of playing on grass again," said Sharapova.
"My goal today was to get used to the grass and my opponent, whom I hadn't played before.
"I have tremendous memories from here. It seems that the fans have grown up with me here, as I have played here since I was younger. That's one of the reasons why I keep coming back."
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The two-time former champion recovered from a slow start to defeat Canadian Stéphanie Dubois 6-4 6-2 in 1h13m to book a second-round date with American Alexa Glatch.
"I thought I did a really good job of getting into the groove of playing on grass again," said Sharapova. "My goal today was to get used to the grass and my opponent, whom I hadn't played before.
"I have tremendous memories from here. It seems that the fans have grown up with me here, as I have played here since I was younger. That's one of the reasons why I keep coming back."
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Maria All Business in Birmingham (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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It was always going to be a mixed day for the local contingent given that several British players were drawn against each other, but, as expected, Maria Sharapova ruled supreme on the opening day of the $220,000 AEGON Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club.
Two-time Birmingham champion Sharapova raced to a 4-1 lead at the start of her match against Stéphanie Dubois, only to see the 22-year-old Canadian surge to within a point of 4-4. Sharapova fought off that break-opportunity, and pocketed the first set, but was broken in the first game of the second before reeling off six of the next seven games to win 6-4 6-2.
"I thought I did a really good job of getting into the groove of playing on grass again," said the Russian, whose run to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros lifted her ranking from outside the top 100 to No.73. "I have tremendous memories from here. It seems that the fans have grown up with me here, as I have played here since I was younger. That's one of the reasons why I keep coming back."
Next up for Sharapova is American Alexa Glatch, who upset Fed Cup teammate Bethanie Mattek-Sands - the No.9 seed - 7-6(2) 6-3.
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. Alexa Glatch, 6-3 6-4
It was my first time to see Alexa Glatch play. She has a big serve, and both a sliced backhand and a two-handed backhand - the former seemed predominant in this match. She tried to serve and volley a few times - without success. She had her left knee strapped, and had red marks on her Achilles tendons like she'd danced the night away in a pair of ill-fitting high heels.
In the first set, Maria wasn't at her brilliant best (or maybe I was too busy fretting about my broken camera to fully appreciate her performance), but did enough to win it comfortably 6-3.
In the second set, Maria played brilliantly until she led 4-1* (40/15*), then had another worrying patch of loose errors as she squandered those break-points, and relinquished her break with a couple of double faults.
Glatch levelled up at 4-4*, then the first raindrops appeared, with grey clouds heading our way, and Maria was determined to wrap up a victory before the imminent rain-delay. She played a good service-game to lead 5-4*, but wasted a 0/30 opening and two match-points (30/40 and Ad) before the rain got heavy, forcing play to be suspended on Wednesday - for the day as it turned out - with Glatch at game-point.
When play resumed on Thursday, it took Maria just two minutes to wrap up her victory. She pegged Glatch back to Deuce, then reached her third match-point, which Glatch saved with a service-winner. Maria reached her fourth match-point with a pinpoint forehand pass-winner down the line, and converted it when her short return induced Glatch to hit a forehand dropshot very long.
SHARAP *@* * *@ 6 GLATCH * * * 3
The match started third on Centre Court on Wednesday, and started at 13:21 BST.
Glatch serving 0-0: First serve forced Maria to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Ace down the middle. 30/0. Forehand return long. 40/0. Maria crosscourt backhand winner. 40/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline.
Maria serving 0-1: Maria painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner, and said "c'mon". 15/0. Glatch dumped a backhand return halfway up the net. 30/0. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 30/15. Maria's sliced backhand bounced very low, forcing Glatch to dump a forehand into the bottom of the net. 40/15. Maria netted a backhand. 40/30. Maria crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner + "c'mon".
Glatch serving 1-1: Maria hit a deep forehand onto the baseline, forcing Glatch to hit a forehand wide. 0/15. Ace down the middle. 15/15. Glatch down-the-line backhand wide. 15/30. Maria's deep forehand return forced Glatch to earth a forehand. 15/40 (BP #1). Service-winner out wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Service-winner down the middle: just inside the centre-line. Deuce #1. Maria's down-the-line forehand drove Glatch wide, forcing her to net a backhand. Ad Maria (BP #3). Double fault (second serve just long).
Maria serving 2-1: Glatch netted a sliced backhand. 15/0. First serve down the middle (on the centre-line) + crosscourt forehand winner. 30/0. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/15. Maria, on the third stroke, hit a backhand dropshot-winner. 40/15. Backhand return just long.
Glatch serving 1-3: Glatch forehand just long. 0/15. Glatch's depth forced Maria to net a backhand. 15/15. Service-winner down the middle. 30/15. Maria crosscourt forehand wide. 40/15. Maria went to the net and hit a delectable backhand drop-volley winner. 40/30. Glatch's serve forced a short return, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner.
Maria serving 3-2: Ace out wide: on the sideline. 15/0. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell long/wide). 15/15. Glatch netted a sliced backhand. 30/15. Maria backhand long. 30/30. Maria dominated the rally, forcing a short floater from Glatch, which she dispatched with a forehand smash-winner. 40/30. Maria got a dead netcord-winner.
Glatch serving 2-4: Maria off-backhand long. 15/0. Maria dumped a backhand return halfway up the net. 30/0. Maria backhand long. 40/0. Glatch crosscourt backhand winner.
Maria serving 4-3: Glatch crosscourt forehand wide. 15/0. Glatch netted a forehand return. 30/0. Glatch forehand long. 40/0. Maria hit a wild forehand wide and very long - it hit the back fence on the full! 40/15. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell long). 40/30. Glatch, driven wide, hit a forehand long.
Glatch serving 3-5: Backhand return very long and wide. 15/0. Maria netted a cheap backhand. 30/0. Maria's crosscourt forehand shot through on Glatch for a virtual winner. 30/15. Forehand return just long. 40/15. Glatch went to the net behind a weak sliced backhand: Maria hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner. 40/30. Glatch forehand long. Deuce. Glatch netted a forehand. Ad Maria (SP #1). Maria's deep off-forehand return forced Glatch to earth a backhand. Maria won the first set 6-3 at 13:58 BST on Wednesday (37m).
Maria called her coach (Michael Joyce) onto court.
SHARAP *@* * *@ 6 GLATCH * *@* 4
Maria serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Glatch netted a sliced forehand return. 15/15. Glatch forehand long. 30/15. Maria hit a crosscourt forehand (or possibly an off-backhand) deep into the corner, forcing Glatch to net a forehand. 40/15. Maria forced a short ball, but mishit a forehand long. 40/30. Maria held with a crosscourt backhand winner.
Glatch serving 0-1: Maria went to the net, but Glatch hit a sliced backhand pass-winner down the line. 15/0. Glatch tried to serve and volley, but didn't get past the service-line before Maria's crosscourt backhand return whizzed past her for a winner. 15/15. Maria hit a netcord-clipping crosscourt forehand return-winner onto the sideline. 15/30. Double fault (second serve long). 15/40 (BP #1). Glatch hit a down-the-line forehand winner just inside the baseline - off a deep lob from Maria. 30/40 (BP #2). Glatch tried to serve and volley, but netted a forehand first volley to go a set and a break down.
Maria serving 2-0: Glatch went to the net, but hit an off-forehand volley wide. 15/0. Double fault (second serve long). 15/15. Glatch sliced a backhand just wide. 30/15. Maria down-the-line backhand just wide. 30/30. Ace down the middle. 40/30. Glatch netted a sliced backhand.
Glatch serving 0-3: Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline. 0/15. Maria netted a forehand return. 15/15. Serve out wide: forehand return long. 30/15. Maria mishit a down-the-line backhand return wide. 40/15. Ace out wide.
It was now cold.
Maria serving 3-1: Glatch hit a backhand return-winner down the line. 0/15. Serve down the middle + off-forehand winner into the corner. 15/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/30. Glatch forehand very long. 30/30. Maria backhand winner down the line. 40/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline.
Glatch serving 1-4: Glatch went to the net, but Maria hit a backhand pass-winner down the line. 0/15. Glatch, driven wide, netted a forehand. 0/30. Serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return long and wide. 15/30. Glatch tried to serve and volley, but netted a forehand first volley. 15/40 (BP #1). Maria netted a down-the-line forehand. 30/40 (BP #2). Backhand return just long. Deuce #1. Glatch spread Maria from tramline to tramline, and hit a crosscourt forehand winner. Ad Glatch. Service-winner out wide.
Maria serving 4-2: Glatch chopped a forehand return into the bottom of the net. 15/0. Serve out wide: on the service-line: Glatch netted a backhand return. 30/0. Double fault (second serve on the service-line was called long). 30/15. Maria forehand long. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 30/40 (BP). Maria hit a loose crosscourt backhand wide, giving Glatch the break back.
Glatch serving 3-4: Forehand return long. 15/0. Backhand return long. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Maria crosscourt forehand wide.
Raindrops started to fall (after the first point of the next game, to be precise).
Maria serving 4-4: Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Maria crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner + "c'mon". 15/15. Forehand return very long. 30/15. Deep serve out wide forced Glatch to hit a forehand return long. 40/15. Maria went to the net and hit a low-bouncing forehand volley, forcing Glatch to net a backhand pass down the line.
Glatch serving 4-5: Maria off-backhand return-winner. 0/15. Maria forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner onto the sideline. 0/30. Glatch forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a backhand winner down the line. 15/30. Maria hit a backhand long on the fourth stroke. 30/30. A netcord from Maria drew Glatch to the net; Maria hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 30/40 (MP #1). A good, deep first serve forced Maria to hit a forehand return just long. Deuce #1. It was now raining. Maria's deep forehand return forced Glatch to net a backhand. Ad Maria (MP #2). Ace out wide: on the sideline. Deuce #2. Maria hit an off-backhand return wide, and it was now seriously raining. Ad Glatch. Play was suspended at 14:42 BST on Wednesday (second set so far 44m, match so far 1h21m).
Play resumed at 14:53 BST on Thursday - second on Centre Court after a 24h11m delay. Maria crosscourt forehand return + off-forehand forced Glatch to net a backhand. Deuce #3. Glatch, on the third stroke, hit a backhand very long. Ad Maria (MP #3). Serve down the middle - on the centre-line - forced Maria to hit a forehand return very long. Deuce #4. Maria, on the fourth stroke, hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Ad Maria (MP #4). Maria's short return induced Glatch to hit a forehand dropshot very long. Maria won 6-3 6-4 at 14:55 BST (second set 46m net, 24h57m gross; match 1h23m net, 25h34m gross).
Maria's on-court interview: "It's never easy with all the rain-delays. We just prepare the best we can. It's not over till it's over. She has a really powerful game, and a great serve. My goal is to improve every match, and do the job as fast as I can."
Sharapova on brink of ousting Glatch in Birmingham (AP, Wednesday 10th June 2009)
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Maria Sharapova's bid to reach the third round of the AEGON Classic was delayed by rain on Wednesday, with the former Wimbledon-champion leading American teenager Alexa Glatch 6-3 5-4 before a downpour halted play.
Sharapova twice held match-point, but was unable to close out, and play was suspended for the day with 19-year-old Glatch holding an advantage-point on her own service-game.
Sharapova is playing only her third tournament since being sidelined for ten months with a shoulder-injury. She had to work hard to contain a promising young player on the verge of the top 100, who mixed slice and topspin well, and looked to be growing in confidence.
Glatch saved one match-point at 30/40 with a first serve that caused Sharapova to block the ball back long, and another with an ace.
Sharapova had led 4-2 in the second set, when she produced an indifferent service-game and allowed Glatch to break back.
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Sharapova seals delayed victory in two minutes (AP, Thursday 11th June 2009)
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Maria Sharapova needed only two minutes on court to wrap up a rain-delayed 6-3 6-4 victory over Alexa Glatch on Thursday and reach the third round of the AEGON Classic.
The former top-ranked player needed just five points to advance in the Wimbledon warm-up tournament after her match had been delayed overnight by bad weather.
Victory over the 19-year-old US Fed Cup player continued Sharapova's grass-court build-up to what she hopes will be another assault on the Wimbledon-title in 12 days' time, though it meant that she was obliged to play twice in a day.
Florida-based Sharapova had twice been match-point up against the promising American on Wednesday, but with the rain beginning to turn from drizzle into a downpour, they had had to come off with Glatch holding a point to reach 5-5.
Sharapova's first shot on resumption was a brilliant forehand return of serve, followed by a winning approach-shot, which brought the score back to deuce.
She reached match-point with a quieter return of serve, which Glatch struck beyond the baseline, only for the teenager to save the third match-point with a fine winning serve. When Sharapova earned a fourth match-point, however, with a short low return combined with a winning pass, she converted it.
Sharapova forced Glatch to come in again with a short return, and this time Glatch overhit.
Was this the shortest amount of time she had spent on court? "Probably, yes," she giggled.
"It's never easy, but everyone has to deal with these situations," she added. "It's tricky, but I'm glad I could make it."
Asked if the shoulder, which kept her out of the game for almost 10 months, was now fine, she replied: "I hope so. We will see. I play the best I can and just get the job done."
The next job was a last-16 meeting with the seventh-seeded Francesca Schiavone - the former top-twenty Italian - who overwhelmed Ukraine's Mariya Koryttseva 6-1 6-1.
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE [7], 6-1 6-3
Schiavone knows she needs to serve and volley to succeed on grass, but was unable to do that as she was simply overpowered by a brilliant performance by Maria. Had Maria been able to keep up this form, she would certainly have gone on to win Birmingham, and quite possibly Wimbledon too!
We did have to wait until 3-1* (40/30*) for Maria's first clean winner, but it was worth the wait: a delectable off-backhand dropshot to give her *4-1. Two forehand winners quickly followed, and a third at 5-1*, although Maria needed four set-points to seal the first set.
Two great serves gave Maria a 30/0 lead in the second set, but she had to save a break-point before holding her opening service-game with a forehand winner and an ace. Maria saved a game-point before breaking for *2-0, then held to love for 3-0* with two groundstroke-winners off both sides. Schiavone also held to love, then Maria hit a backhand winner onto the baseline en route to 4-1*. Schiavone held, then Maria held for 5-2* with two great crosscourt backhands.
Maria was two points from a 6-1 6-2 victory at 30/0*, but let Schiavone off the hook with four mainly unforced errors. Maria had three match-points at *5-3 (40/0): she missed the first two with forehand-errors, but converted the third with a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline.
SHARAPOVA @* *@*@ 6 SCHIAVONE * 1
The match was fourth on Centre Court, and started at 16:30 BST. Maria won the toss and elected to receive.
Schiavone serving 0-0: Maria forehand long. 15/0. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Schiavone to net a forehand. 15/15. Maria's deep forehand return forced Schiavone to hit a forehand wide. 15/30. Double fault (second serve long). 15/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide forced Maria to hit a forehand return wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Double fault (foot-fault).
Maria serving 1-0: Second serve: forehand return long. 15/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 15/15. Schiavone sliced a backhand wide. 30/15. Off-forehand return wide. 40/15. Forehand return long.
Schiavone serving 0-2: Serve out wide forced Maria to net a forehand return. 15/0. Schiavone crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/0. Forehand return long. 40/0. Schiavone's depth forced Maria to hit a backhand just long.
It was very windy now.
Maria serving 2-1: Schiavone netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/0. Schiavone crosscourt forehand just wide on the fourth stroke. 30/0. Schiavone netted a forehand return. 40/0. Maria's depth forced Schiavone to net a backhand.
Schiavone serving 1-3: Serve down the middle forced Maria to net a backhand return. 15/0. Maria's deep crosscourt backhand forced Schiavone to hit a backhand long. 15/15. Schiavone hit with great depth to force a floater from Maria, but hit a forehand volley very long. 15/30. Maria crosscourt forehand wide. 30/30. Schiavone sliced a down-the-line backhand wide. 30/40 (BP). Maria forced a short ball, and dispatched it with a delectable off-backhand dropshot-winner to get the double break.
Maria serving 4-1: Maria crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand winner on the run. 15/0. Body-jamming serve forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 30/0. Double fault (second serve into the net). 30/15. A big body-jamming serve forced Schiavone to hit a forehand return long. 40/15. First serve out wide: Schiavone netted a forehand return.
Schiavone serving 1-5: Maria netted a backhand return. 15/0. Maria off-forehand return-winner just inside the sideline. 15/15. Maria's big, deep return forced Schiavone to hit a forehand long. 15/30. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/40 (SP #1). A brave second serve out wide - just inside both sideline and service-line - forced Maria into error. 30/40 (SP #2). Maria netted a backhand return. Deuce #1. Schiavone opened up the court with a serve out wide, and went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was just wide. Ad Maria (SP #3). Service-winner out wide: on the sideline. Deuce #2. Double fault (second serve just long). Ad Maria (SP #4). Maria's off-forehand + deep crosscourt forehand forced Schiavone to hit a forehand long and wide. Maria won the first set 6-1 at 16:54 BST (24m).
SHARAPOVA *@* * * * 6 SCHIAVONE * * * 3
Maria serving 0-0: Ace down the middle hit the centre-line with a puff of titanium pigment. 15/0. Virtual ace down the middle. 30/0. Schiavone's depth forced Maria to hit a forehand long. 30/15. Schiavone hit a crosscourt forehand winner into the corner: Maria's forehand was called "not up". 30/30. Schiavone netted a forehand return. 40/30. A high-bouncing return induced Maria to net a backhand. Deuce #1. Schiavone's crosscourt forehand forced Maria to hit a forehand long. Ad Schiavone (BP). Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Schiavone to hit a forehand long. Deuce #2. Schiavone netted a forehand. Ad Maria. She looked on top of the rally when she hit a low-bouncing crosscourt forehand, but Schiavone dug out a low-bouncing down-the-line forehand, forcing Maria to net a backhand. Deuce #3. Maria off-forehand winner. Ad Maria. Ace down the middle: on the service-line. Maria said "c'mon".
Schiavone serving 0-1: Maria hit a down-the-line forehand return wide. 15/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand volley-winner. 30/0. Maria hit an off-backhand return down the middle of the court, forcing Schiavone to net a backhand. 30/15. My notes say Maria hit a forehand very long, but that can't be right, because she won the point! 30/30. Second serve: forehand return very long. 40/30. Schiavone netted a forehand. Deuce #1. Schiavone, driven wide, hit a backhand that clipped the netcord and looked like it might go over, but it fell back on her side. Ad Maria (BP). Maria went to the net behind a deep off-forehand, forcing Schiavone to hit a down-the-line backhand wide, putting Maria a set and a break up.
Maria serving 2-0: Schiavone off-backhand long and wide. 15/0. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Schiavone to hit a forehand very long and wide. 30/0. Serve forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 40/0. In a brilliant rally, Maria's crosscourt backhand set up an off-backhand winner onto the sideline.
Schiavone serving 0-3: Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. 15/0. Deep serve out wide forced Maria to net a backhand return. 30/0. Serve out wide forced Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand return wide. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Maria to run from tramlines to tramline, and net a forehand.
Maria serving 3-1: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Maria hit an off-backhand winner that hit the baseline with a puff of titanium pigment. 15/15. Maria's depth forced Schiavone to hit a crosscourt forehand wide; Schiavone said "no, no." 30/15. Maria's depth forced Schiavone to dump a forehand halfway up the net. 40/15. Forehand return long.
Schiavone serving 1-4: Maria's deep forehand return forced Schiavone to net an off-backhand. 0/15. Maria forehand just long. 15/15. Backhand return long. 30/15. Schiavone off-forehand wide on the third stroke. 30/30. Second serve: forehand return long. 40/30. Ace out wide hit the sideline with a puff of titanium pigment.
It was now cold and windy.
Maria serving 4-2: Schiavone's deep down-the-line forehand forced Maria to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 0/15. Schiavone dumped a forehand halfway up the net. 15/15. Serve out wide forced Maria to net a forehand return. 30/15. Double fault (wild second serve wide). 30/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 40/30. Maria opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, and hit a crosscourt backhand virtual winner.
Schiavone serving 2-5: Double fault (second serve wide). 0/15. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Schiavone to hit a forehand long. 0/30. Schiavone's deep off-forehand forced Maria to hit a backhand long and wide. 15/30. Maria blasted a crosscourt backhand return just long. 30/30. Off-backhand return just wide. 40/30. A mildly awkward deep ball from Schiavone induced Maria to net a sloppy backhand.
Maria serving 5-3: Service-winner out wide. 15/0. Schiavone, driven wide, netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 30/0. Schiavone off-forehand wide. 40/0 (MP #1). Maria forced a short ball, but netted an off-forehand. 40/15 (MP #2). Schiavone hit a deep crosscourt forehand right in the corner, forcing Maria to hit a down-the-line forehand just wide. 40/30 (MP #3). Maria sealed victory with a crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline. Maria won 6-1 6-3 at 17:32 BST (second set 38m, match 1h02m).
Maria's on-court interview: "I'm just so happy to have played three matches, and to have the opportunity to play a fourth. Today was better than I expected. I'm trying to get used to grass. I just have to take it one match at a time - I know that sounds boring, but that's how it is: just one more match: you've got to give it all you've got."
Russian ace Sharapova eases through [Teletext 495->498]
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Sharapova eases through [Teletext 498]
Maria Sharapova dispatched Francesca Schiavone in little over an hour to reach the AEGON Classic quarter-finals.
Sharapova - who earlier had to come from behind to beat Alexa Glatch in a win which had begun on Wednesday - had little trouble in winning 6-1 6-3.
Sharapova now faces Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, who saw off 14th seed Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-4 after earlier defeating Michaëlla Krajícek 6-2 6-4.
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Sharapova wins twice in a day at Edgbaston (Reuters)
(Reporting by Pritha Sarkar, editing by Justin Palmer)
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Maria Sharapova continued her build-up for Wimbledon by winning back-to-back matches to reach the quarter-finals of the Edgbaston Classic on Thursday.
The Russian former world number-one was left stranded leading American Alexa Glatch 6-3 5-4 on Wednesday when rain washed out the rest of the day's play.
On resumption, Sharapova - who is on a comeback-trail following a nine-month layoff due to a shoulder-injury - needed just one game to complete a 6-3 6-4 second-round win.
The world number 73 was soon back on court to mete out more punishment. Italian seventh seed Francesca Schiavone offered little resistance before slumping to a 6-1 6-3 defeat.
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Sharapova wins twice within hours at Birmingham (AP)
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Maria Sharapova won twice within hours on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the AEGON Classic.
Extending her comeback after a 10-month layoff because of a shoulder-injury and surgery, Sharapova needed only two minutes and five points to wrap up a 6-3 6-4 victory against American Alexa Glatch in a second-round match suspended on Wednesday by rain.
The unseeded Sharapova required little more than an hour to dispatch seventh-seeded Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-3.
Having reached her third quarter-final in her third tournament back, Sharapova would not say she was playing better than expected. She lost in the quarter-finals at Warsaw and the French Open.
"I'm just not serving full out as I did before the injury," she said. "I don't want to come out, after not playing for so long, hitting a really big serve. It gives me a chance to construct points."
Sharapova will play Belgian teen Yanina Wickmayer, who defeated Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-4.
The former Wimbledon-champion is content to slowly work on her serve.
"I am just going to take it tournament by tournament and match by match," Sharapova said. "I just want to get the percentage of first serves in. I don't know when I am going to be at the level I was, or when I will be better. It may take time."
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Sharapova advances in Birmingham tennis (AFP)
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Former Wimbledon-champion Maria Sharapova wasted little time finishing off her delayed match against American Alexa Glatch earlier on Thursday.
The score stood at 6-3 5-4 to Sharapova when rain halted play the previous day, and the Russian quickly broke her opponent to win 6-3 6-4.
Sharapova was soon back on court, and continued her recovery from the shoulder-injury that has hampered her for several months with a 6-1 6-3 win over Italian seventh seed Francesca Schiavone in the third round.
"It was definitely a little bit strange not finishing yesterday and coming back today," said Sharapova, who has won the title at Edgbaston on two previous occasions.
"It could have only taken a few minutes to finish, or another hour. But I did the right things in both matches today, and played really well. Overall, it was a good day."
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Quarter-finals set in Birmingham (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Other upsets on Thursday saw Maria Sharapova defeating No.7 seed Francesca Schiavone handily 6-1 6-3.
"I did the right things today. I moved in when I had to. A pretty good day," said Sharapova, who completed a rain-delayed win over Alexa Glatch earlier in the day before her win over Schiavone. "I just want to keep taking it a day at a time. This injury has taught me you never know what's going to happen the next day. On grass, everything goes so quickly. You just try to take care of business."
In the quarter-finals on Friday, Sharapova plays Yanina Wickmayer, who reached her first WTA Tour final at this very event last year.
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Sharapova has busy day in Edgbaston (LTA)
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Maria Sharapova had a busy day at the office on Thursday, winning two matches to reach the AEGON Classic quarter-finals.
Sharapova had first to complete her rain-interrupted second-round match from Wednesday against American Alexa Glatch: 6-3 6-4.
The former Wimbledon-champion then returned to court 90 minutes later to defeat Italian No.7 seed Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-3 to book her place in the last eight.
"It was definitely a little bit strange not finishing yesterday and coming back today," said Sharapova, who has won the title in Edgbaston on two previous occasions.
"It could have only taken a few minutes to finish, or another hour. But I did the right things in both matches today, and played really well. Overall, it was a good day."
In the quarter-finals, Sharapova will meet Belgian Yanina Wickmayer - last year's beaten finalist - who saw off Italian Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-4 in the third round.
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British trio lose in Birmingham (BBC Sport)
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Maria Sharapova beat both Alexa Glatch and Francesca Schiavone after schedule-delays meant some players played twice.
The former world number-one needed just one game to complete a delayed 6-3 6-4 win over Glatch, and then raced past seventh seed Schiavone 6-1 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
"It's never easy, but everyone has to deal with these situations," Sharapova said of the rain delay. "It's tricky, but I'm glad I could make it."
The Russian next faces Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, who saw off 14th seed Roberta Vinci 6-1 6-4 after earlier defeating Michaëlla Krajícek 6-2 6-4.
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+ Maria Sharapova [EF] d. Yanina Wickmayer, 6-1 2-6 6-3
Maria made a blazing start - a continuation of her third-round form against Francesca Schiavone - to dominate the first set against the 'Belgian Sharapova' - last year's runner-up - who actually played quite well even in the first set, despite having only one game to show for it. But Maria played great!
Maria broke immediately with the help of pinpoint down-the-line backhand and crosscourt forehand winners. She held for 2-0* with crosscourt-backhand and off-forehand winners. Yanina put up more resistance in her second service-game, but Maria broke at the third opportunity to lead *3-0. Maria held for 4-0* with crosscourt forehand and backhand winners.
Yanina avoided a first-set bagel, as her good depth and serving finally put her on the scoreboard. Maria hit an off-forehand winner as she held for 5-1*.
Maria hit a stunning down-the-line forehand return-winner, and her depth induced Yanina to hit two crosscourt shots wide, giving Maria three set-points at 0/40. Yanina saved the first two with one-two punch winners, but Maria sealed the first set when Yanina hit a forehand pass just wide.
Maria's fine form continued at the start of the second set, when she held to love with an ace, then a down-the-line forehand return-winner gave her break-point at 1-0* (40/30*). But Yanina escaped from that game with good serves and error-forcing depth, and then broke to love for *2-1 after Maria quadruple-faulted.
Yanina consolidated her break with a couple of winners as she held to love for 3-1* - eleven points in a row! Maria put up more resistance in her next service-game, but two forehand winners weren't enough, as Yanina converted her third break-point with a down-the-line forehand winner for *4-1.
Yanina held comfortably for 5-1*, and Maria held to love with two forehand winners, forcing Yanina to serve for the second set at *5-2. Yanina may have been nervous as she sprayed a crosscourt forehand drive-volley wide at 15/0, but she sealed the second set with four good serves.
Maria looked in trouble at *0/30 at the start of the third set, but Yanina let her off the hook with three unforced errors. Yanina held to love with three winners, and Maria held comfortably for 2-1*.
Maria started the next game with a short-angled crosscourt backhand pass-winner, and broke to 30 with a blazing crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline for *3-1. An ace helped her hold to 15 for 4-1*, and a roaring crosscourt backhand return-winner helped her break to 15 for *5-1.
Maria was two points from victory at *5-1 (30/15), but Yanina pegged her back with a crosscourt backhand winner, and had three nonconsecutive break-points: Maria saved the first with an ace out wide onto the sideline, the second with an off-backhand winner onto the sideline, but dropped serve with her third double fault of the game.
Yanina killed a bee, and Maria hit a down-the-line backhand return-winner to move back within two points of victory at 5-2* (30/30). But she let Yanina off the hook with four unforced return-errors in that game.
Maria hit a forehand winner down the line and a service-winner to set up match-point at *5-3 (40/0), which she converted with a crosscourt backhand winner.
SHARAPOVA @*@* *@ 6 WICKMAYER * 1
The match was third on Centre Court. Maria won the toss and elected to receive, and the match started at 15:09 BST (over an hour after the previous match finished, as this one had a not-before time of 15:00).
Yanina serving 0-0: Maria, on the fourth stroke, hit a pinpoint backhand winner down the line. 0/15. First serve down the middle: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/15. Maria painted the sideline with a crosscourt forehand winner. 15/30. Maria sprayed a crosscourt forehand wide. 30/30. Yanina hit a crosscourt forehand winner onto the baseline. 40/30. Maria's deep down-the-line backhand return induced Yanina to earth a forehand. Deuce. Double fault (second serve wide). Ad Maria (BP). Maria hit a forehand onto the baseline, forcing Yanina to net a forehand.
Maria serving 1-0: Maria's down-the-line backhand - off the back foot! - forced Yanina to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/0. Virtual ace out wide. 30/0. Yanina crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/15. Double fault (second serve long). 30/30. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30. Maria hit an off-forehand return-winner back behind Yanina.
Yanina serving 0-2: Maria crosscourt backhand winner. 0/15. First serve down the middle - on the service-line - forced Maria to hit a forehand return long. 15/15. Maria's depth induced Yanina to mishit a crosscourt forehand wide. 15/30. Yanina off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/30. Maria crosscourt backhand return + off-backhand winner. 30/40 (BP #1). First serve down the middle induced Maria to hit an off-forehand return wide. Deuce #1. Yanina netted a forehand. Ad Maria (BP #2). Yanina saved it with a crosscourt forehand + pinpoint forehand winner down the line. Deuce #2. Serve out wide + off-forehand would-be winner just wide. Ad Maria (BP #3). Maria's deep sliced backhand forced Yanina to net a forehand, giving Maria the double break.
Maria serving 3-0: Yanina's crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand forced Maria to net a backhand. 0/15. First serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 15/15. Second serve: crosscourt forehand return just wide. 30/15. Yanina hit a deep forehand return down the middle, forcing Maria to net a forehand. 30/30. Maria crosscourt backhand + crosscourt forehand just inside the sideline, forcing Yanina to net a forehand on the run. 40/30. Maria sliced backhand down the line + crosscourt backhand winner into the wide-open court.
Yanina serving 0-4: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/0. Yanina's depth forced Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand long and wide. 30/0. Serve out wide + down-the-line forehand long. 30/15. Big, deep service-winner out wide. 40/15. Maria drew Yanina to the net with a backhand dropshot, and hit a backhand lob-winner over Yanina's head. 40/30. Serve out wide + off-backhand winner.
Maria serving 4-1: Yanina netted a backhand. 15/0. Maria hit an off-backhand wide on the third stroke. 15/15. Yanina crosscourt forehand wide. 30/15. Double fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell long). 30/30. Second serve down the middle (on the service-line) + off-forehand winner. Maria said "c'mon". 40/30. Deep serve forced Yanina to hit a backhand return long.
Yanina serving 1-5: First serve out wide: Maria hit a forehand return-winner down the line! 0/15. Maria hit a deep backhand just inside the baseline, inducing Yanina to hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 0/30. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand return just inside the baseline forced Yanina to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 0/40 (SP #1). Serve out wide + deep forehand winner down the line: just inside the baseline. 15/40 (SP #2). Good second serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner just inside the sideline. 30/40 (SP #3). Maria went to the net, forcing Yanina to hit a crosscourt forehand pass wide by a whisker. Maria won the first set 6-1 at 15:40 BST (31m).
Yanina called her coach onto court.
SHARAPOVA * * 2 WICKMAYER *@*@* * 6
Maria serving 0-0 (new balls): Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand forced Yanina to earth a one-handed backhand. 15/0. Virtual ace down the middle. 30/0. Yanina ran down a dropshot, but hit a backhand long and wide. 40/0. Ace out wide.
Yanina serving 0-1: First serve: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/0. Maria's deep return forced Yanina to hit a backhand just wide. 15/15. Maria netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 30/15. Yanina, on the third stroke, hit a forehand very long. 30/30. Maria forehand return-winner down the line. 30/40 (BP). Deep serve out wide - on the service-line - forced Maria to hit a crosscourt backhand return wide. Deuce. Yanina's depth forced Maria to net a backhand. Ad Yanina. Virtual ace down the middle.
Maria serving 1-1: Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 0/15. Double fault (second serve wide). 0/30. Quadruple fault (second serve long). 0/40 (BP). Yanina's deep crosscourt forehand forced Maria to hit a forehand long, giving Yanina the break.
Yanina serving 2-1: Maria netted a backhand return. 15/0. Serve out wide + off-forehand winner just inside the baseline. 30/0. Yanina crosscourt backhand + down-the-line backhand winner just inside the baseline. 40/0. Deep first serve out wide forced Maria to hit a backhand return wide.
Yanina has now won eleven points in a row!
Maria serving 1-3: Yanina netted a backhand return. 15/0. Yanina went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand drive-volley, but Maria hit a crosscourt forehand pass-winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Second serve: Yanina crosscourt forehand return-winner. 30/15. Yanina's crosscourt forehand drove Maria wide, forcing her to hit a down-the-line forehand just wide. 30/30. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 30/40 (BP #1). Deep first serve out wide: crosscourt backhand return wide. Deuce #1. Yanina hit a down-the-line backhand into the corner, forcing Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand long and wide. Ad Yanina (BP #2). First serve down the middle + crosscourt forehand winner. Maria said "c'mon". Deuce #2. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Yanina (BP #3). Yanina crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand winner just inside the baseline. Yanina celebrated the double break with a fist-pump.
Yanina serving 4-1: Maria's deep forehand return down the line forced a short ball, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 0/15. Maria netted a backhand dropshot. 15/15. Maria netted a cheap forehand. 30/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner just inside the sideline. 40/15. Backhand return long.
Maria serving 1-5: Service-winner down the middle. 15/0. Yanina netted a backhand return. 30/0. Service out wide forced a short return, which Maria dispatched with an off-forehand winner. 40/0. Maria's second serve looked wide, but wasn't called, and she hit a crosscourt forehand winner on the third stroke.
Yanina serving 5-2: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. Yanina hit a tremendous deep forehand down the line to force a short floater, but sprayed a crosscourt forehand drive-volley wide. 15/15. First serve down the middle induced Maria to hit a forehand return long. 30/15. Service-winner out wide: just inside the service-line. 40/15 (SP #1). Deep serve out wide induced Maria to hit a forehand return long. Yanina won the second set 6-2 at 16:14 BST (second set 34m, match so far 1h05m).
Maria took a bathroom-break, and Yanina called her coach onto court. The third set didn't actually start until 16:19 BST.
SHARAPOVA * *@*@ * 6 WICKMAYER * @* 3
Maria serving 0-0: Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/15. Yanina hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline (looked wide to me). 0/30. Forehand return wide and very long. 15/30. Service-winner out wide. 30/30. Yanina netted a forehand return, and Maria said "c'mon". 40/30. Yanina netted a backhand on the fourth stroke.
Yanina serving 0-1 (new balls): Yanina crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand winner. 15/0. Forehand return just long. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. Yanina crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner down the line: just inside both the sideline and the baseline!
Maria serving 1-1: Maria got away with a short, weak ball, as Yanina sprayed a forehand long and wide. 15/0. First serve down the middle: Yanina netted a forehand return. Maria said "c'mon". 30/0. Double fault (second serve wide). 30/15. Deep serve forced Yanina to hit a backhand return very long. 40/15. First serve down the middle - on the service-line - induced Yanina to net a forehand return.
Yanina serving 1-2: Yanina went to the net, but Maria hit a short-angled crosscourt backhand pass-winner. 0/15. Maria hit a down-the-line backhand long/wide. 15/15. Maria went to the net behind a crosscourt backhand, forcing Yanina to net a backhand on the run. Big clapping. 15/30. Ace out wide caught the outside edge of the sideline. 30/30. Double fault (second serve just wide of the centre-line). 30/40 (BP). Maria, driven wide, broke with a blazing crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline.
Maria serving 3-1: Double fault (second serve just wide). 0/15. Maria's depth forced Yanina to net a forehand. 15/15. Ace down the middle: on the centre-line. 30/15. Maria opened up the court with a crosscourt forehand, and her pinpoint forehand down the line forced Yanina to earth a backhand. 40/15. Deep serve out wide: Yanina netted a forehand return.
Yanina serving 1-4: Backhand return long. 15/0. Maria's deep forehand forced Yanina to hit a forehand very long. 15/15. Double fault (second serve just long). 15/30. Second serve: Maria hit a roaring crosscourt backhand return-winner. 15/40 (BP). Maria's deep crosscourt forehand return forced Yanina to net a forehand, giving Maria the double break.
Maria serving 5-1: Maria's depth forced Yanina to net a backhand. 15/0. Double fault (second serve long). 15/15. First serve out wide: crosscourt forehand return wide. 30/15. Yanina's crosscourt forehand pushed Maria into the tramlines; Yanina hit a crosscourt backhand winner into the open court. 30/30. Yanina's deep forehand induced Maria to net a forehand. 30/40 (BP #1). Ace out wide clipped the sideline with a puff of titanium pigment. Deuce #1. Double fault (second serve long). Ad Yanina (BP #2). Maria hit an off-backhand winner onto the sideline with a puff of titanium pigment. Deuce #2. Maria, driven wide, hit an off-forehand very wide. Ad Yanina (BP #3). Double fault (second serve long).
I hoped that Yanina would notice the bee flying behind her legs as she prepared to serve to stay in the match. She did, and gave new meaning to the term "one-two punch" as she swatted it with her racket, then crushed it with her racket as it lay wriggling on the ground. It's not a good idea to kill bees during the current bee-shortage, but there were plenty of bees at Birmingham this year!
Yanina serving 2-5: Yanina went for a forehand winner down the line, but it was just long. 0/15. Off-forehand return wide. 15/15. Maria netted a forehand return. Yanina said "komaan". 30/15. Maria backhand return-winner down the line. 30/30. Maria netted a backhand return. 40/30. Off-forehand return wide.
Maria serving 5-3: Yanina netted a forehand return. 15/0. Maria crosscourt forehand + down-the-line forehand winner + "c'mon". 30/0. Service-winner down the middle. 40/0 (MP #1). Maria crosscourt forehand + crosscourt backhand winner. Maria won 6-1 2-6 6-3 at 16:55 BST (third set 41m, match 1h46m).
Maria's on-court interview: "I came out really strong, but after I didn't get that break in the second set, she got the momentum and was very aggressive. I just had a letdown in the second set, but overall [inaudible]. She's always a tough opponent: makes you hit a lot of balls."
[What percentage are you back to your best?] "I don't like numbers or percentages; I just get up each day and keep improving."
Sharapova into Birmingham semis [CEEFAX 490->492]
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Maria Sharapova moved into the semi-finals of the AEGON Classic at Birmingham with a three-set win over Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.
The Russian - making her way back after nine months out with a shoulder-injury - won 6-1 2-6 6-3.
Sharapova will next face Chinese fourth seed Li,Na, who beat Switzerland's Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6 (7/3).
"We've always had pretty difficult encounters. She is always a tough one," said Sharapova of her next opponent.
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Sharapova into last four [Teletext 495->498]
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Maria into last four [Teletext 498]
Maria Sharapova survived a second-set blip against Belgian Yanina Wickmayer to reach the last four of the AEGON Classic at Birmingham.
The unseeded Russian stormed through the first set, but was pegged back by two breaks of serve in the second before completing a 6-1 2-6 6-3 win.
Fourth seed Li,Na powered past Swiss teen Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6, and will face Sharapova in the last four.
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Sharapova defeats Wickmayer to reach semi-finals (AP)
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Maria Sharapova reached her first semi-final in more than a year by defeating Yanina Wickmayer 6-1 2-6 6-3 on Friday at the AEGON Classic.
The former top-ranked player struggled with her serve in the second set, but regained her stride in the third to break her 19-year-old opponent twice for a 5-1 lead.
Sharapova had 11 double faults with a remodelled serve to protect her shoulder, which required surgery last year and sidelined her for 10 months.
"I kind of lost the momentum, and made more errors than I would have preferred, and she gained confidence from that," Sharapova said. "When you give her time, she plays very aggressively. And once she had broken me, she kept swinging away, and came up with some great shots."
Sharapova next plays Li,Na: the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist from China, who beat Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6(3).
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Sharapova survives in Edgbaston (Reuters)
(Editing by Alison Wildey)
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Twice former champion Maria Sharapova survived a second-set blip to reach the semi-finals of the Edgbaston Classic with a 6-1 2-6 6-3 win over Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer on Friday.
After splitting the opening two sets, the Russian reasserted her authority to set up a last four meeting with China's Li,Na.
"In the second set, I was up a break at 1-0; after that, I just kind of lost the momentum, started making more errors than I would have liked, and she gained confidence from that," Sharapova told reporters.
"We've always had pretty difficult encounters: I just played her last week at the French Open, and it was three tough sets, but that was on clay, and this is a new tournament and a different surface."
Li beat Stefanie Vögele of Switzerland 6-3 7-6.
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Sharapova, Mirza, Li move into WTA semi-finals (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova joined India's Sania Mirza in the semi-finals of the WTA grass-court tournament here on Friday.
Former Wimbledon-champion Sharapova defeated Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 6-1 2-6 6-3 to reach the last four for the sixth time here.
The Russian - who won here in 2004 and 2005, and finished runner-up in 2007 - is just beginning to find her form after 10 months struggling with a shoulder-problem.
Sharapova faces China's Li,Na next, and will be making her first appearance in a semi-final since May 2008, when she gave a walkover to Jelena Jankovic in Rome.
"I started off really well, and the tennis was at a pretty high level," said Sharapova.
"But I started slowing down in the second set, and let her get back in the match. She looked pretty comfortable on the grass."
Sharapova defeated Li in the fourth round at the French Open, but admitted Saturday's match will be a different challenge.
"We've always had pretty difficult encounters: I just played her last week at the French Open, and it was three tough sets, but that was on clay, and this is a new tournament and a different surface," said the Russian.
"But she is always a tough one to play, and we have always had very tough battles."
Fourth seed Li also moved into the last four with an impressive 6-3 7-6 (7/3) victory over Switzerland's Stefanie Vögele.
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Semi-finalists decided at AEGON Classic (LTA)
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On a sunny day at Edgbaston, Maria Sharapova, Na Li, Sania Mirza and Magdaléna Rybáriková booked their place in the AEGON Classic semi-finals.
Maria Sharapova battled her way into the last four with a hard-fought victory over last year's runner-up - Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium - 6-1 2-6 6-3.
"I thought I started off really well, and the tennis was at a pretty high level," said Sharapova: a two-time champion at Edgbaston.
"But I started slowing down in the second set, and let her get back in the match. She looked pretty comfortable on the grass. With an opponent like that, you can't let her get back in the game."
Sharapova will now meet the No.4 seed from China: Na Li, who was the first player to book her place in the semi-final as she defeated Switzerland's Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6(3).
"We've always had pretty difficult encounters: I just played her last week at the French Open, and it was three tough sets, but that was on clay, and this is a new tournament and a different surface," added Sharapova.
Saturday's semi-final Centre Court programme kicks off at 12 noon with Sharapova versus Li, followed by Mirza versus Rybáriková.
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Asian Stars, Sharapova into SFs (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Maria Sharapova and two of Asia's marquee-names reached a star-studded final four at the AEGON Classic on Friday, toughing out some streaky quarter-final wins at the first grass-court tournament of the season.
Li,Na - one of two Chinese players currently in the world's top 20, and at No.4, the highest seed remaining in the draw - was the first to advance to the semis, beating Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6(3).
Maria Sharapova - a former world No.1 who comes in ranked in the 70s thanks to a recent nine-month shoulder-injury lay-off, continued her love-affair with the AEGON Classic in her match, beating Yanina Wickmayer in a see-saw three-setter: 6-1 2-6 6-3.
This is Sharapova's sixth career-appearance at this event, and she has now reached the semi-finals or better every time, taking the title in 2004 and 2005, finishing runner-up in 2007, and losing in the semis in 2003 and 2006.
Sharapova leads the semi-final head-to-head, with the Russian leading Li 5:0 (including a win just last week at Roland Garros, although the Chinese led 4-2 in the third set).
Of the final four, Sharapova has been to by far the most WTA Tour singles-finals previously, with 26 (going 19:7 in those). Li has been to five before (going 2:3).
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Sharapova into Birmingham semis (BBC Sport)
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Maria Sharapova moved into the semi-finals of the AEGON Classic in Birmingham with a three-set win over Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.
The Russian - making her way back after nine months out with a shoulder-injury - won 6-1 2-6 6-3.
Sharapova will next face Chinese fourth seed Li,Na, who beat Switzerland's Stefanie Vögele 6-3 7-6 (7/3).
"We've always had pretty difficult encounters. She is always a tough one," said Sharapova of her next opponent.
"I just played her last week at the French Open and it was three tough sets, but that was on clay, and this is a new tournament and a different surface."
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Maria Sharapova beats Yanina Wickmayer in AEGON Classic at Edgbaston
By Sandy Macaskill (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
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You did not really need Centre Court tickets at the Edgbaston Priory Club on Friday.
It would have been quite possible to track the progress of Maria Sharapova's quarter-final against Yanina Wickmayer at the AEGON Classic from as far away as the car-park just by listening to it.
It takes some doing, but it was generally agreed that Wickmayer won the audio award, but it was Sharapova who eventually made the semi-finals.
The former world No.1 might look like a woodland nymph in the ethereal green outfit that she has chosen to wear, but her ear-splitting shrieks and progress this week - especially the composure she demonstrated to come through 6-1 2-6 6-3 against Wickmayer - is enough of a reminder that she is no fairy – especially on this surface.
As an unseeded player, she will be a dangerous prospect at Wimbledon.
Wickmayer, 19, gave a reminder of the ruthless streak that helped her to the final last year, taking a swipe at the wasp that has for the past five days made Centre Court its home, then grinding it into the baseline with the tip of her racket.
But Sharapova is no softie either. She has been strolling around the Priory Club in a T-shirt emblazoned with "strong is the new beautiful", and they were sentiments she upheld by refusing to be ruffled when her opponent won the second set. The Russian will now face Na Li of China.
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- Maria Sharapova [EF] lt. LI,NA [4], 4-6 4-6
It was a listless performance by Maria - no doubt her matches on Thursday and Friday had taken their toll, particularly her three-set quarter-final.
In the first set, Maria played very poorly until she trailed *2-5, then the Sharapova-overdrive kicked in to make it *4-5, but she then dropped her serve and the set.
Li made a poor start to the second set as Maria took a 2-0* lead, but Li broke back and won four games in a row to lead *4-2. The match then degenerated into break and counterbreak, with Maria losing it - like the first set - on her own serve at *4-5.
Li made an impressive start to the match, holding to love with an off-forehand winner, a virtual ace, and a forehand smash-winner. She also hit a second-serve ace at *1-1 (30/15), as games continued to go with serve.
Maria double-faulted to trail *1-2 (0/30), but Li let her off the hook with four unforced errors. Li hit a forehand smash-winner at *2-2, as four netted forehand returns gave her an easy hold to 15.
Li's crosscourt forehand return-winner put Maria *2-3 (15/30) down. Maria responded by hitting her first winner of the match: a crosscourt backhand. But Li hit a pinpoint forehand return-winner down the line, and broke for *4-2 when Maria netted a forehand. Li consolidated the break to love as Maria made four unforced errors to trail *2-5.
The Sharapova-overdrive kicked in as she held to love - with a deep forehand volley-winner, an ace down the middle, and two forced errors - forcing Li to serve for the first set at *5-3.
The Sharapova-overdrive continued as she hit a blazing crosscourt forehand return-winner, but Li painted the sideline with an off-backhand winner en route to her first set-points at *5-3 (40/15). She squandered the first with a wild forehand, then Maria forced two errors, and broke back on a double fault.
Li hit a backhand dropshot-winner and a deep, error-forcing return to reach set-points #3 and #4 at 5-4* (40/15*). Maria saved #3 with a good, deep serve, and Li netted a backhand on #4. But Maria's crosscourt backhand clipped the netcord and fell wide, and Li converted her fifth set-point with an error-forcing crosscourt backhand into the corner.
Maria opened the second set with a down-the-line forehand return-winner, pegged Li back from 40/15 with a pinpoint off-forehand winner, and broke with two error-forcing returns. She served an ace out wide as she consolidated the break to love for 2-0*.
Maria hit an off-forehand winner at 0/30*, but couldn't stop Li holding for 1-2*. Maria then found herself facing break-back point at *2-1 (30/40), which she saved with an off-forehand winner. She had a game-point for 3-1*, but Li forced her into error with a deep return down the middle. Maria then double-faulted, and Li broke back to *2-2 with a crosscourt forehand winner.
Li consolidated her break with an easy hold to 15, hitting a crosscourt backhand winner en route to the 3-2* lead. Maria hit an ace down the middle, but Li reached break-point at 3-2* (40/30*), and Maria netted a mildly awkward forehand volley to trail 2-4*.
Li quadruple-faulted at *4-2 (40/15), and Maria broke back for *3-4 with two deep, error-forcing groundstrokes - to the delight of the pro-Maria crowd.
But Li's deep groundstrokes put Maria back in deep trouble at *3-4 (15/40). Maria saved the first break-point with a delectable backhand dropshot-winner, but once again, Li's deep crosscourt backhand forced Maria's backhand to misbehave.
Li served for the match at *5-3, but Maria gave Li a taste of Li's own medicine with a couple of error-forcing crosscourt backhands, and broke back to love on a double fault.
At *4-5, Maria painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner, and looked sure to extend the set at 40/0, but Li's deep, error-forcing forehand, Maria's netcord that fell back on her side, and an unforced error made it Deuce. Maria blew a fourth game-point by netting a dropshot, then Li reached match-point, and converted it with an error-forcing crosscourt forehand right on the junction of sideline and baseline!
SH * * *@ 4 LI * * *@* @ 6
The match was first on Centre Court, and started at 12:08 BST. Maria won the toss and elected to receive.
Li serving 0-0: Serve out wide + off-forehand winner down the line. 15/0. Virtual ace down the middle: curling away from Maria. 30/0. Maria netted a backhand. 40/0. Li forced a floater from Maria, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner.
Maria serving 0-1: First serve forced Li to hit a forehand return long. 15/0. Maria forehand just long. 15/15. Li backhand long. 30/15. Second serve: Li netted a backhand return. 40/15. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 40/30. Maria's depth forced Li to hit a forehand long on the fourth stroke.
Li serving 1-1: Serve out wide - into the corner - forced Maria to hit a forehand return very long. 15/0. On the fifth stroke, Li hit a crosscourt backhand just wide. 15/15. Li's depth forced Maria to hit a backhand very long. 30/15. Second-serve ace down the middle. 40/15. On the fourth stroke, Maria hit a crosscourt backhand just wide.
Maria serving 1-2: Maria netted a backhand on the third stroke. 0/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 0/30. Li went for a backhand down the line, but it was just wide. 15/30. Li crosscourt forehand just wide. 30/30. Crosscourt forehand return just wide. 40/30. Li netted a forehand return.
Li serving 2-2: Maria netted a forehand return. 15/0. Li's deep crosscourt backhand forced a short floater, which she dispatched with a crosscourt forehand smash-winner. 30/0. Maria netted a forehand return. 40/0. Maria's deep backhand down the line forced Li to net a forehand on the fifth stroke. 40/15. Maria netted a forehand return.
Maria serving 2-3: Li's depth forced Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. 0/15. Li netted a forehand return. 15/15. Li crosscourt forehand return-winner. 15/30. Serve + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/30. Li hit a down-the-line forehand return-winner just inside the baseline, right in the corner. 30/40 (BP). Maria netted a forehand on the fifth stroke - first blood to Li.
Li serving 4-2: Maria netted a backhand on the fourth stroke. 15/0. Maria netted a backhand. 30/0. Crosscourt backhand return wide. 40/0. Maria dumped a forehand return halfway up the net.
Maria serving 2-5: Maria, on the third stroke, hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Li to hit a backhand long. 15/0. Maria hit a deep forehand volley-winner down the line: onto the baseline. 30/0. Ace down the middle. 40/0. First serve out wide forced Li to net a backhand return.
Li serving 5-3: Maria hit a blazing crosscourt forehand return-winner. 0/15. Li hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Maria to net a backhand. 15/15. Li, on the third stroke, painted the sideline with an off-backhand winner. 30/15. Maria netted a backhand return. 40/15 (SP #1). Li hit a wild forehand very long. 40/30 (SP #2). Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Li to net a forehand. Deuce. Maria hit a crosscourt forehand return onto the sideline, forcing Li to hit a forehand lob just long. Ad Maria (BP). Double fault (second serve just wide).
Maria serving 4-5: Maria backhand just long. 0/15. Maria's crosscourt backhand volley forced Li to net a backhand on the run. 15/15. Li backhand dropshot-winner. 15/30. Li hit a deep return onto the baseline, forcing Maria to hit a forehand very long. 15/40 (SP #3). Deep first serve out wide forced Li to frame a forehand return long and wide. 30/40 (SP #4). Li netted a backhand. Deuce. Maria's crosscourt backhand clipped the netcord and fell wide. Ad Li (SP #5). Second serve... Li hit a crosscourt backhand into the corner, forcing Maria to hit a down-the-line backhand just long. Li won the first set 6-4 at 12:47 BST (39m).
SH @* @ @ 4 LI *@*@ @ @ 6
Li serving 0-0: Maria hit a gruntless forehand return-winner down the line. 0/15. Deep serve forced Maria to hit a forehand return long. 15/15. Deep second serve into the corner forced Maria to hit a crosscourt forehand long and wide. 30/15. Maria's down-the-line backhand return clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 40/15. Maria hit an off-forehand winner onto the sideline and just inside the baseline. 40/30. Double fault (second serve into the net). Li muttered in Chinese. Deuce. Maria's deep return forced Li to hit a backhand just wide. Ad Maria (BP). Maria's deep forehand return forced Li to hit a forehand long.
Maria serving 1-0: Serve out wide: Li netted a forehand return. 15/0. Ace out wide caught the outside edge of the sideline. 30/0. Maria's deep crosscourt forehand forced Li to net a forehand. 40/0. Second serve: backhand return long.
Li serving 0-2: First serve: my notes say Maria hit a down-the-line forehand return-winner, but that can't be right, because Li won the point. 15/0. Li's crosscourt backhand forced Maria to net a backhand. 30/0. Maria forced a short ball, and dispatched it with an off-forehand winner onto the outside edge of the sideline. 30/15. A mildly awkward deep return induced Li to net a backhand. 30/30. Li's depth forced Maria to hit a backhand long. 40/30. Second serve: crosscourt forehand return just wide.
Maria serving 2-1: Li hit a forehand return just long, and muttered. 15/0. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/15. Maria tried to serve and volley, but Li's deep return forced her to hit a high forehand volley long. 15/30. Off-forehand return wide. 30/30. Maria off-forehand wide. 30/40 (BP #1). Serve out wide + off-forehand winner. Deuce #1. Li netted a forehand. Ad Maria. Li hit a deep forehand return down the middle, forcing Maria to hit an off-forehand wide. Deuce #2. Double fault (second serve into the net). Ad Li (BP #2). Li got away with a backhand dropshot that was more like a mini-lob, and broke back with a crosscourt forehand winner.
It was now hot and sunny.
Li serving 2-2: Li netted a backhand. 0/15. Maria crosscourt backhand just wide. 15/15. Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 30/15. Off-forehand return just long. 40/15. Serve out wide forced Maria to hit a forehand return long.
Maria serving 2-3: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Maria netted a forehand on the third stroke. 15/15. Li crosscourt forehand wide. 30/15. Maria, driven wide, netted a backhand return. 30/30. Li crosscourt forehand + off-forehand winner down the line. 30/40 (BP). Maria went to the net, but a mildly awkward down-the-line backhand induced her to net a forehand volley to go a set and a break down.
Li serving 4-2: Maria backhand long on the fourth stroke. 15/0. Li dumped a backhand halfway up the net. 15/15. Li painted the sideline with a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/15. Backhand return very long. 40/15. Double fault (second serve into the net). 40/30. Quadruple fault (second serve clipped the netcord and fell wide). Deuce #1. Maria's deep crosscourt backhand forced Li to net a backhand. Ad Maria (BP). Maria broke back with a deep forehand just inside the baseline, forcing Li to hit a forehand long.
There were plenty of "c'mon Maria"s from the crowd in that game, and Maria got a loud cheer from the crowd when she broke back! :-)
Maria serving 3-4: First serve out wide forced Li to hit a crosscourt forehand return long. 15/0. Li's deep crosscourt backhand forced Maria to hit a backhand long and wide. 15/15. Li's low-power deep crosscourt backhand induced Maria to net a backhand. 15/30. Li's deep return forced Maria to hit an off-forehand wide. 15/40 (BP #1). Li kept good depth in a long rally, but Maria finished it with a delectable backhand dropshot-winner. 30/40 (BP #2). Li's deep crosscourt backhand forced Maria to net a backhand. Li celebrated the break with a fist-pump + "c'mon".
Li serving 5-3: Li off-forehand long and wide. 0/15. Maria's body-jamming crosscourt backhand down the middle induced Li to hit a crosscourt forehand wide. Li muttered. 0/30. After a rally with good depth from Li, Maria's deep crosscourt backhand forced Li to net a backhand. Li groaned "c'mon". 0/40 (BP #1). Double fault (second serve just long).
Maria serving 4-5: Second serve: forehand return long. 15/0. Maria painted the sideline with an off-forehand winner down the line. 30/0. Second serve out wide forced Li's crosscourt forehand return to sail long and wide. 40/0. Li hit a deep forehand onto the baseline, forcing Maria to bunt a forehand lob long. 40/15. On the third stroke, Maria's forehand clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. 40/30. Maria down-the-line forehand wide. Deuce #1. A nailbiting rally ended with Maria's sliced backhand forcing Li to hit a forehand long. "Ladies and gentlemen, please refrain from clapping until the end of the point," said the umpire. Ad Maria. She forced a short ball, but netted a crosscourt backhand dropshot. Deuce #2. A mildly deep forehand return induced Maria to net a backhand. Ad Li (MP #1). Li hit a crosscourt forehand onto the junction of sideline and baseline, forcing Maria to net a forehand. Li won 6-4 6-4 at 13:38 BST (second set 51m, match 1h30m).
I did try to transcribe Li's on-court interview, but the noise of everyone else trying to leave Centre Court rendered it completely inaudible. :-||
Sharapova suffers semi-final loss [CEEFAX 490->494]
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Maria Sharapova's hopes of a third grass-court title at Birmingham came to an end as she lost in the semi-finals of the AEGON Classic to Na Li.
The former Wimbledon-champion, who won this title in 2004 and 2005, went down 6-4 6-4 to the Chinese fourth seed.
Sharapova, who was unseeded after injuries hit her world-ranking, had her serve broken six times in the match.
Li faces Magdaléna Rybáriková in the final after her 3-6 6-0 6-3 win over Sania Mirza in the other semi-final.
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Sharapova beaten in semi [Teletext 495->497]
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Li ends Sharapova-bid [Teletext 497]
Former Wimbledon-champion Maria Sharapova bowed out of the AEGON Classic with a 6-4 6-4 defeat by Na Li.
The Russian - unseeded after plunging down the world-rankings due to an injury lay-off - conceded six breaks of serve during the semi-final clash.
Fourth seed Li will face Slovakian Magdaléna Rybáriková in Sunday's final at Edgbaston, after she came back from a set down to beat Sania Mirza.
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Li hands Sharapova Birmingham-defeat (AFP)
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Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon build-up suffered a setback on Saturday when she was knocked out of the Birmingham grass-court event 6-4 6-4 by China's Li,Na.
Sharapova - the champion here in 2004 and 2005 - is still feeling her way back after over 10 months out with a shoulder-injury, and she showed signs of a quick revival by reaching the French Open quarter-finals.
But the unseeded Russian was plagued by errors on Saturday, suffering six breaks of serve in her 90-minute defeat.
"I definitely wasn't playing with the same intensity I had in the last couple of matches. Some days you have it, some days you don't," said Sharapova, who had never lost to Li, and had most recently beaten her opponent over three hard-fought sets at Roland Garros a few weeks ago.
"Against an opponent like her, that intensity has to be there every step of the match. I'm still getting used to a few things in my game. I just have to keep working, keep trying to get everything better and better."
Li, the fourth seed, will face Slovakian 13th seed Magdaléna Rybáriková in Sunday's final.
"My return of serve was so good today. I broke her many times, so it did not feel like a grass-court match," said the Chinese star, who had never defeated Sharapova in five previous matches.
"I lost to her so many times before, so I thought, 'If I lose again, then I should not worry.' That made me very relaxed today.
"I was up 4-2 in the second set and double-faulted twice. I was up 4-2 in the third set last week too. When I double-faulted, I was thinking, 'What are you doing?'"
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Li,Na beats Sharapova in Birmingham semi-finals (AP)
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Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon-preparations received a setback on Saturday in a 6-4 6-4 loss to Li,Na of China in the AEGON Classic semi-finals.
The Russian served erratically to drop to 5:1 against the 20th-ranked Li. The former No.1 player had been out for 10 months with a shoulder-injury before returning to action last month at the French Open.
"After such a long layover, every match and every situation is a different test to the body," said Sharapova: the 2004 Wimbledon-champion.
"I still felt like I had many chances in this match, but I have played five matches in the last six days, and after that, you just hope you wake up with that intensity you need. Against her, you need that."
Sharapova's serve - revamped to prevent injury - lacked rhythm and conviction, and she was broken six times.
She dropped serve to trail 2-4 in the first set after missing a forehand, before recovering to trail 4-5. However, she was broken again to lose the set.
Sharapova broke to lead 2-0 in the second set, but then lost four straight games, and never recovered.
She will spend next week practising at Wimbledon, with the tournament starting on 22nd June.
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Li to face Rybáriková in AEGON Classic final (LTA)
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Na Li will meet Magdaléna Rybáriková in Sunday's AEGON Classic final at Edgbaston.
Li - the world No.20 from China - caused the upset of the day by defeating Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-4 in 1h29m.
Sharapova - the former world No.1 and Wimbledon-champion - was broken six times as she missed out on the chance to compete for her third title in Edgbaston.
"My return of serve was so good today," said Li. "I broke her many times, so it did not feel like a grass-court match. I lost to her so many times before, so I thought if I lose again then I should not worry. That made me very relaxed today."
For Sharapova, this semi-final appearance at the AEGON Classic represented her best result since she returned from a nine-month injury-break after shoulder-surgery.
"I wasn't playing with the same intensity today as I did in my previous matches," said Sharapova. "Against an opponent like her, the intensity has to be there the whole match. I just wasn't able to come through today."
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Li Stops Sharapova in SFs (www.sonyericssonwtatour.com)
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Seeds stopped the runs of non-seeds at the AEGON Classic on Saturday, as Li,Na and Magdaléna Rybáriková got past Maria Sharapova and Sania Mirza to reach the final of the $220,000 event.
Li was the first to advance to the title-match, beating Sharapova for the first time in six meetings: 6-4 6-4. Li - seeded No.4 this week - had lost their first four matches in straight sets before their three-set marathon at Roland Garros two weeks ago, where she won the second set to love, and led 4-2 in the third before falling 6-4 0-6 6-4. But this time, she was able to fend off the former No.1.
"I definitely wasn't playing with the same intensity I had in the last couple of matches. Some days you have it, some days you don't," Sharapova said. "Against an opponent like her, that intensity has to be there every step of the match. I'm still getting used to a few things in my game. I just have to keep working, keep trying to get everything better and better."
Li said: "I was up 4-2 in the second set, and double-faulted twice. I was up 4-2 in the third set last week too. When I double-faulted, I was thinking, 'What are you doing?' I lost to her so many times before. So I'm excited to win."
Sharapova was one of the big stories of the week. It was her sixth appearance in Birmingham, and she has reached the semi-finals or better all six times now, including title-runs in 2004 and 2005, and a runner-up finish to Jelena Jankovic in 2007. She is now 10:3 since returning to the Tour after a nine-month shoulder-injury lay-off, which includes quarter-final showings at Warsaw and Roland Garros.
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