Maria Sharapova marched into the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open after crushing Australian Samantha Stosur 6-3 6-2 on Friday to set up a last four meeting with fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva.
Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Samantha Stosur of Australia during their quarter final round match of the 2011 Cincinnati Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 19, 2011 Photo: Reuters
Germany's Andrea Petkovic will face Serbian Jelena Jankovic in the other semifinal -- China's Peng Shuai withdrew from her clash with Jankovic due to injury.
Sharapova dominated from the start of the 72-minute match against world number 10 Stosur, who lost in last week's Toronto Cup final to Serena Williams.
The Russian, who advanced to her sixth semifinal in 12 tournaments this year, is now projected to return to the top five when the new rankings are released Monday.
"I played a really great match and did many good things today which caused her trouble," Sharapova told reporters.
"I was aggressive; I didn't give her much time to do things that she likes to do when she plays well. I felt like I controlled most of the points."
Sharapova now comes up against a familiar foe in compatriot Zvonareva after the world number two claimed a 6-3 7-6 victory over Slovak Daniela Hantuchova.
A buoyant looking Petkovic defeated Russian Nadia Petrova 7-5 6-1 and now comes up against Jankovic, who after a marathon three set game against Francesca Schiavone on Thursday, was given a walkover when Peng withdrew with a left hip injury.
"It gives me a little more time just so that I can recover and on Saturday hopefully wake up feeling fresher and ready to play," said Jankovic.
"It is going to be a tough match. Andrea is playing very well in this moment. I just want to continue to play my tennis. I feel good as well. It's going to be hopefully a good match."
Cincinnati Open women's singles results:
Andrea Petkovic (Germany) beat Nadia Petrova (Russia) 7-5 6-1
Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 6-3 7-6(6)
Maria Sharapova (Russia) beat 10-Samantha Stosur (Australia) 6-3 6-2
Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat 16-Peng Shuai (China) walkover
Maria Sharapova of Russia pumps her fist after winning the first set against Samantha Stosur of Australia during their quarter final round match of the 2011 Cincinnati Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 19, 2011 (Photo: Reuters)
Nadia Petrova of Russia hits a return to Andrea Petkovic of Germany during their quarter-final round match of the 2011 Cincinnati Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 19, 2011 (Photo: Reuters)
