Serena Williams will compete for a final’s berth against Maria Sharapova Thursday, in Miami. PHOTO: AFP
MIAMI: Serena Williams is looking forward to revive old rivalries as the world number one meets Maria Sharapova in the Miami Masters semi-final; a throwback to their 2013 final of the same event.
Top seed Serena pounded German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2, taking 62 minutes and ending with seven aces and four breaks of serve in windy conditions.
“When the wind picked up I just had to concentrate,” said Serena.
“I felt better today than in any of my other matches. When you’re facing a top-10 player, you have to lift your game; that’s what I was able to do.”
Sharapova, who has not beaten the world number one American since 2004 and has lost 14 consecutive matches in the rivalry, regained her big-match confidence after twice being pushed to three sets by defeating Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-1.
Federer satisfied with performance
Swiss fifth seed Roger Federer was pleased with his performance as he ousted French ninth seed Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 in 49 minutes to book a quarter-final date with Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
“It was a great match for me and I’m very pleased,” said Federer, who broke five times and committed only eight unforced errors.
Federer was on fire against Gasquet, who set up two match points for Federer with a backhand error and took the loss moments later as he could not reach a drop shot in the windy conditions.
“The wind was the same for both of us, but I’ve had a lot of experience playing in it,” he said Federer. “I made him work for his points.”
I’m sorry for Fabio: Nadal
Top seed Rafael Nadal was apologetic as he turned in a command performance and demolished out-of-sorts Italian 14th seed Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-2 in 62 minutes.
Fognini played while injured as he lost to the Spaniard for the fourth time.
“Today was a very strange match. I’m sorry for Fabio,” said Nadal. “He felt something from yesterday near the ribs. It was not easy for him to play this match.
“I managed the situation well in the wind. I played the right match.”
Nadal will next play Canadian 12th seed Milos Raonic, who beat Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4 to win his 100th career hardcourt match.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2014.
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