Maria Sharapova rebounded from her chaotic fourth-round match and eased past dangerous Kaia Kanepi 6-2 6-3 to reach her third career Roland Garros semifinals where she will face Petra Kvitova for a chance to reclaim the top ranking. Moreover, the Russian is now only two wins away from completing a career slam, having already lifted the trophy at Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008. The fact that she’s 3-2 against Kvitova and 2-0 this season against the Czech, including the 2012 Stuttgart semifinals on clay, additionally speaks in her advantage.
After the tricky match against Klara Zakopalova that lasted three hours and 11 minutes and featured 21 breaks of serve in 30 games, the second-seeded Sharapova continued in the fashion of her first three rounds, straightforwardly finishing the job against the 23rd-seeded Kanepi in 74 minutes.
In the other Wednesday’s quarterfinal, the fourth-seeded Kvitova defeated Yaroslava Shvedova, the conqueror of defending champion Li Na. To reach the final eight, Shvedova had already won the seven matches it takes to win a Grand Slam title, but since her first three wins came at the qualifying stage, she was fighting to become the first French Open qualifier to advance to the semis and by winning the first set against Kvitova, the Kazakh’s breakthrough seemed reachable. But Kvitova then raised her aggressiveness and won the match 3-6 6-2 6-4.
The other singles semifinal will feature Samantha Stosur and Sara Errani. Italian Errani has gone far in doubles as well – alongside Roberta Vinci she’s reached the final. (photos: © Neal Trousdale)
Sharapova will go into the match as the clear favourite, but Kvitova loves to be the underdog just as she showed in the Wimbledon final. The womens tournament has petered out and needs a classic match to rival the excitement on the mens side of the draw and I think this could be that match… hopefully!
Prediction – Sharapova to win in 3 sets
go maria.! good luck !!