Sharapova books place in final

Russian to face Wozniacki at Indian Wells.

INDIAN WELLS:

Maria Sharapova reached her first final of 2013, beating Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-3 in a semi-final slugfest to set up a title showdown with Caroline Wozniacki at Indian Wells.

By reaching the final, Sharapova is projected to rise one spot to number two in the world when the new rankings are announced tomorrow.

“It’s better than three, right?” said Sharapova, who was more focused on capturing a first title since her 2012 French Open victory gave her a career Grand Slam.

After withdrawing from Brisbane with a right collarbone injury, Sharapova reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and Doha.

The Russian lifted the trophy in the California desert in 2006 and was runner-up last year to Victoria Azarenka.

But in Wozniacki, who outlasted fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, the Russian will be up against an opponent with an equally strong Indian Wells resume — a title in 2011 and a runner-up finish in 2010.

“She’s always a tough opponent,” said Sharapova. “She’s a grinder. She makes you work really hard on the court and gets a lot of balls back.”

Wozniacki turned the tables on Kerber, who had won their last three meetings, but she had to work two and a half hours to do it.

Del Potro sets up Djokovic semi

Meanwhile in the men’s draw, Juan Martin del Potro toppled Andy Murray to book a semi-final showdown with world number one Novak Djokovic.

Del Potro, ranked seventh in the world, beat Murray 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-1.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2013.