Top seed Maria Sharapova of Russia advanced to the semifinals of
the China Open of WTA tournament, beating 39th ranked Shinobu
Asagoe of Japan 6-4, 6-1?on Friday.
Thus Sharapova's, world No. 1, will encounter her compatriot
Maria Kirilenko, who pipped China's Sun Tiantian 6-1, 6-3 in an
early clash on Friday.
As winner of 10 WTA tours, Sharapova was broken in the first
game in Set One, but broke back in the next, and led the set
until5-2 when Asagoe fought back to win the 8th and 9th games.
However,the queen of 2004 Wimbledon Open let no chances go slip to
end the set 6-4.
The 18-year-old Sharapova, the 15th woman and first from
Russiato hold world No. 1 ranking, played much better in the second
set, leading the way to 5-0 before losing the 6th game. She then
wrapped up the match at 6-1 in one hour and six minutes.
With this victory, Sharapova improved her win-loss record to
51-8 in 2005 and that of her career 172-42, while 29-year-old
Asagoe down to 23-21 and 270-189.
"I didn't have a good start, but I tried to pull back and
control the match to get back to win." Sharapova said, "My opponent
is physically fit and I have to play aggressively."
She played down Serena Williams' exit and Venus Williams'
pullout and said that was the sport and that was what happened.
"Just have fun," she added.
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2005)