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Na Li vs. Maria Sharapova – French Open 2011: Semi-final Preview

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Na Li vs. Maria Sharapova – French Open 2011: Semi-final Preview
All tennis fans are anxiously waiting to see former world number one, Maria Sharapova of Russia, in action against the sixth seed, Na Li of China in the semi-final of the French Open. The contest will be played at the Court Philippe
Chatrier in Paris, France, with two of the top class tennis stars battling it out for a place in the final of the second Grand Slam tournament of the current year. The highly anticipated contest will take place on Thursday and the winner of the clash will
earn a title shot at the prestigious Roland Garros.
World number eight, Sharapova, has finally got her vintage form back and her performance at Roland Garros so far have been very impressive. The Russian won four of her five round matches in straight sets, ravaging every opponent
she faced and powered her way to the semis of the French Open. Sharapova absolutely devastated the 15th seed German, Andrea Petkovic in straight sets 6-0, 6-3, in the quarter-final round to book a date with Na Li in the final four.
24-year-old Sharapova has won all the other three grand Slam events, except the French Open in her illustrious career. She reached the semi-finals of Roland Garros twice before but got defeated every time. Her current form hints
that the crafty Russian will carry on her winning momentum this time round and take down the sixth seed Chinese opponent in the semis.
“It’s exciting to be back in the semis here. I put a lot of work in to be in this stage of the Grand Slams, I’m happy it’s here. There have been tough moments, but I put in a lot of work and always push myself as hard as I can,”
told the excited Sharapova after she defeated Petkovic in the quarter-final.
With the top four seeds (which include Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka) out disposed out of the tournament, Sharapova has certainly become the strongest contender for the French Open trophy.
However, Na Li’s sublime form in the running WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) season can’t be ignored and the Chinese might give a tough time to Sharapova in the Thursday’s matchup.
Na Li outplayed the ninth seed, Petra Kvitova, in the fourth round and then went on to take down the world number four, Victoria Azarenka, in the quarter-final to meet Sharapova in the final four. Her amazing straight sets victory
of 7-5, 6-2, over the fourth seed Azarenka hints the blistering form that the Chinese is currently in. Na Li must be very confident in stepping on court with Sharapova, as the Chinese has already done away with two of the top-10 players en route to semi-final.
The inspiring Na Li became the first Chinese women ever to reach the final of a Grand Slam event, when she played the world number two, Kim Clijsters of Belgium in the final of the Australian Open in January this year. Although
she lost to Clijsters in the final, Na Li climbed up to her career best ranking of seven.
The Thursday’s contest appears evenly poised and it is hard to predict the winner until the contest is over. It will be interesting to see whether Sharapova carries on her custom of losing in the semi-final of the French Open or
the Chinese sensation makes it to the second consecutive Grand Slam final. Sharapova currently leads the head-to-head series against Na Li by 5-2 and will desire to extend it in the semi-final clash on Thursday.

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