Maria Sharapova talks about her conquest over Li Na – Tennis News
World number two, Maria Sharapova, didn’t break a sweat in ousting the eighth ranked Chinese superstar, Li Na, in the semi-final of the China Open earlier this month. She registered an emphatic score line of 6-4, 6-0; dispatching
the local superstar in just over an hour and 41 minutes.
Talking about the contest, Sharapova said, “It was a really high quality first set with a few ups and downs, and obviously she had the lead in that set, but I came back. There were a few key moments to that set, and after I broke
her in the last game, it was important to take that momentum into the second set and keep going.”
Commenting about the local heroine, the Russian said, “Li Na has so much experience. She's a Grand Slam champion. You know it's going to be difficult, and she can play high level tennis and come back. So it's important to keep
a high level as long as you can when you play against her.”
It has been a brilliant tournament for the 25-year-old Russian blonde who has absolutely destroyed her opponents at all stages. Following is the list of victims that fell cheaply to the in-form Russian star:
Simona Halep in round one (7-5, 7-5)
Sorana Cirstea in round two (6-2, 6-2)
Polona Hercog in round three (6-0, 6-2)
Angelique Kerber in quarters (6-0 3-0 Ret.)
Li Na in semis (6-4, 6-0)
The above list of massacre at the tennis courts of Beijing clearly exposes the sublime run of play from the former world number one. Sharapova was the first one to enter the final on the morning of Saturday and later on, her arch
rival from Belarus, Victoria Azarenka, booked a date with her after dispatching the 10th ranked Frenchwoman, Marion Bartoli, in straight sets.
So, another eye-startling clash waits the morning of Sunday. Sharapova will look to defy the odds and beat Azarenka who has crushed the Russian on three different occurrences, earlier this season. Only time, Sharapova managed to
squeeze a victory in the Italian Open against Azarenka. Hence, the tempo of the game will be quite high on Sunday with both shrieking queens in action.
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