Maria Sharapova sets up a clash against Victoria Azarenka in semis – French Open 2013
Second seed Maria Sharapova rebounded from a 0-6 deficit to outclass the former world number one, Jelena Jankovic, in three sets at the Roland Garros 2013 on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Victoria Azarenka secured a spot in the final four for the first time at this Major clay court tournament after trashing Maria Kirilenko in straight sets.
Seeded second in this event, Sharapova made a dismal entry at the Stade Roland Garros. However, she turned the tables on Jankovic after that and eventually secured a 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory in one hour and 58 minutes.
She said, “I started the match off with a large number of unforced errors and her playing really well, smart, doing the right things, being consistent. It was really the opposite for me. So I was really happy I was able to win the first two games of the
second set. That was really important. You know, at least give her something to think about.”
The 18th seeded Serb went berserk after entering the Stade Roland Garros. She quickly cashed three break chances and pulled out the opener with a bagel.
Sharapova re-structured her strategy in the following set. She availed two break opportunities and jumped to a 5-1 lead. Despite losing her serve in the eighth game, the Russian plucked her serve once again and sealed the equaliser by winning six games to
four.
The Russian, who completed her career Grand Slam last season after conquering this crown, maintained consistency in her game in the deciding set. After the Serb held her serve in the fifth game, Sharapova went on a four-game killing spree and clinched the
decider with a 6-3 score line.
Sharapova will square off against her fellow former world number one, Azarenka from Belarus.
The Belarusian top ranked star triumphed over the 12th seed with a 7-6(3), 6-2 victory.
“I know it's going to be a very tough match against the defending champion,” Azarenka reflected about her upcoming battle in a post match press conference. “It's our first meeting here, so it's definitely going to be exciting and interesting.”
The third seed exchanged three breaks and dragged the set to a tie-breaker. She dominated in it and bagged the opener with a 7-6(2) win.
Azarenka lifted her game in the following set. She got the coveted break in the fourth game and jumped to a 4-1 lead. The Belarusian capitalised on another break chance in the end and clicked the set with a 6-2 success.
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