Sharapova rallies to set Azarenka clash

 

Originally published on: 05/06/13 00:00

The defending champion looked far from her best in the early stages of the match, winning just 14 points and committing 20 unforced errors as Jankovic stormed through the opening set 6-0 inside half an hour.

Sharapova had never come back from a love first set in her career, but the world No.2 dug deep to claim a 0-6 6-4 6-3 victory after an hour and 58 minutes.

"After the first set I knew if I wanted to win this match I'd have to change things around," Sharapova said. "I just had to erase that chapter and move forward because the match was not over.

“I still felt like I was in the match and I was – I broke her in the first game and that was extremely important. I just fought really hard in the third set. It only gets tougher from here but I'm really happy to be at this stage again."

Sharapova will now face world No.3 Azarenka after the Australian Open champion defeated No.12 seed Maria Kirilenko 7-6(3) 6-2 to reach her first semi-final in Paris.

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