Sharapova sets up final with Venus

HONG KONG—Russian ace Maria Sharapova outscrapped her compatriot Anna Chakvetadze on Friday, showing her steely will-to-win ahead of the Australian Open later this month.
The world number five struggled to find her rhythm in the semi-final of the JB Group Classic, but her strong serve and powerful returns saw her overcome her 20-year-old opponent in the semi-final 6-4, 6-2.
Despite some wonderful moments, Chakvetadze, ranked six in the world, could not gain any momentum on her own serve, and a string of errors proved costly as she failed to put her opponent under any concerted pressure.
Sharapova said she was pleased to find better form to clinch the match with a strong second set after a scrappy start.
“I was a little slow in the beginning,” said Sharapova, who is also 20.
“I wasn’t seeing the ball that fast and both of us were a bit sloppy on our service games, but I felt I recovered from that,” she added to reporters.
Both players fought their way through an error-strewn first set, with the first five games going against serve.
Sharapova’s forehand let her down time after time in the early games, as she struggled to find her range, before her strong serve and clever volleys helped her clinch two crucial games with serve to take the first set.
Chakvetadze did not get into the second set, as Sharapova stepped up a gear to easily close out the match.
Sharapova will now face either American Venus Williams or fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in the final, which is scheduled for Saturday.
The eight-player tournament has welcomed five of the world’s top 10 players as they limber up for the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne later this month.—Agencies