Sharapova Wins Hoping to Top WTA Annual Rating
Russia’s Maria Sharapova has defeated Ana Ivanovich, advancing to semi-finals at the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria. One more win will bring the Russian to number two in the WTA rating and improve her chances to rank first at the end of the season.
The Russian had a shaky start in the Friday match, letting Ivanovic lead 4-2 in the first set. Later, she missed three set points while serving at 5-4 in the first set.
Sharapova then led 5-2 in the second set but double-faulted twice while serving for the match. She needed two attempts to serve out the match to win 7-6 (7-3) 7-5.
After the victory at the Zurich tournament on Sunday and only some 400 points behind Mauresmo, the Russian teenager has solid chances to try and end the season at number one.
Meanwhile, Igor Kunitsyn is now the only one Russian left at men’s St. Petersburg Open after Dmitry Tursunov lost to Max Mirniy, Nikolay Davydenko got an injury and Mikhail Yuzhny broke a leg, apparently finishing the season. Kunitsyn has overcome Potito Starace setting up a semi-final clash with St. Petersburg titlist Thomas Johansson.
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All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 28, 2006
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