The top-seeded Serena did not lose a point on serve during the opening set during her comprehensive 6-3, 6-3 win over Cibulkova. PHOTO: AFP
The top-seeded Serena did not lose a point on serve during the opening set during her comprehensive 6-3, 6-3 win over Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova.
In stark contrast to Serena, Sharapova was forced to recover from an error-strewn start before eventually downing 2012 champion Kaia Kanepi in three sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The second semi-final will be between second seed Victoria Azarenka, who survived a second-set meltdown when she blew eight match points to beat Swiss Stefanie Voegele 6-4, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, and fourth seed Jelena Jankovic. The latter was a 6-7 (8/10), 6-3, 6-1 winner over Germany’s Angelique Kerber.
Friday’s semi-final between Serena and Sharapova will be the 17th meeting between the two.
Serena holds a clear advantage over the Russian, winning 14 times against Sharapova, including the last 13 in a row.
Their most recent clash was in the final of last year’s French Open, where Serena won a tight battle 6-4, 6-4.
“Some of the matches were a bit closer than others,” said Sharapova of her run of 13 losses.
“I’ve tried and I didn’t succeed in the last many times that I’ve played her, but I’m setting up an opportunity to go out there and try to change that.”
Serena was in irresistible form against Cibulkova.
“She [Cibulkova] was returning really well, she stays so low to the ground and does so many good things, especially off the ground,” said Serena. She’s just so powerful.
“So of all the opponents, I definitely wouldn’t expect it [to win] against her. But I was able to serve really well today.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2014.
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