Seventh seed Jelena Jankovic and unseeded Maria Sharapova will play each other in the Toray Pan Pacific Open final.
In the semifinals, Serbia’s Jankovic benefited from Li Na’s 40 errors to defeat the Chinese No.15 seed 6-4 6-3, and for the second time in a row beat a player against whom she had a negative career record, having ended a losing streak against Marion Bartoli in the previous round.
Sharapova scored her fourth victory over Agnieszka Radwanska, overcoming the eleventh seed 6-3 2-6 6-4. The Russian rallied from 0-2 in the third set to prevail.
Jankovic will be looking for her third title of the season (she won both her previous finals in 2009), while the 2005 Toray Pan Pacific Open champion Sharapova will try to end her title drought that extends back to April 2008.
Sharapova has a 4-1 head-to-head record against Jankovic, and 3-0 on hardcourts.
Hi Marija! I often read this blog, but this is my first time commenting! I think this is an excellent result for both players, making the finals. They’re definitely two of the game’s biggest stars and it’s great to see them come through such an unpredictable tournament.
It’s seem like Maria Sharapova wins a grand slam every two years so maybe next year she’ll win one again. She won Wimbledon in 2004, US Open in 2006, and Australian Open in 2008. Who knows maybe she’ll win French Open in 2010. When she’s fit and healthy, she is a really good tennis player.
I love Maria and JJ!
This should have been an epic final!
BUTTT…JJ had to find an excuse and RETIRE!
I mean who does that? At least lose 6-1 in the second set, and that is even better than quitting right of the bat!
Good luck to both of them in Beiging…and hope to see a legite 3rd round rematch of the finals in Tokyo!
Good luck
Sorry Marija that Jelena had to retire. I felt sorry for her. Felt sorry for Maria too that she was robbed of the feeling of winning the title (much like after Kim won the semifinals of the USO). Anyway, congratulations Maria for the really solid performance in the first set. I had the feeling you were going to take this anyway. Well done and good luck in Beijing (what kind of draw is that?).
Van, I’m glad to see you commenting. I hope you’ll become a regular commentator. 😉
It’s a shame the final ended that way. Still, Maria’s title is not less deserved because of that. Congrats to Masha!