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Sharapova reaches semi-finals in Rome

17/05/2008

Maria Sharapova has reached the semi-finals of the Italian Open in Rome after beating American Patty Schnyder 6-7 7-5 6-2.

Sharapova's inclusion in the event had been in doubt at the start of the week when she entered a row with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) about publicity obligations.

However, with the matter resolved the Russian has progressed well in the competition and will now face defending champion Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals.

Sharapova, who will become world number one following Justine Henin's retirement, lost the opening set on a tiebreak.

But she showed great resolve to fight back and win a tense second set by breaking her opponent at a crucial point at the end of the set to take the match into a decider.

From then the Russian's superior stamina paid dividends and she overpowered Schnyder to claim a 6-2 win in the final set.

Jankovic also came from a set behind to win her quarter-final against Venus Williams. The Serbian won the match 5-7 6-2 6-3 after dominating the final two sets.

Venus' sister Serena Williams did not take the court for her quarter-final after injuring her back in the warm-up. That allowed Frenchwoman Alize Cornet a bye into the next round.

Cornet will face Russian Anna Chakvetadze after she beat Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 3-6 6-1. Chakvetadze needed attention from the trainer in the final set but was still able to ease past Pironkova.