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Serena defeats Sharapova
19/04/2008 09:48 - (SA)
Bruce Smith
Charleston - Serena Williams extended her winning streak over Maria Sharapova on Friday, advancing to the Family Circle Cup semi-finals by beating the Russian 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.
Williams has defeated the fourth-ranked player in the world four straight times since 2005 and is 5-2 overall against Sharapova, who was coming off her first victory on clay last week at Amelia Island. This was their first meeting on clay.
"It was an up-and-down match," said Williams, who was looking for her third tour title this year. "I don't think I played my best. Actually I played far from my best."
She said she wasn't bothered by an ankle she sprained during a match on Thursday.
In Saturday's semi-final, Williams, the world's ninth-ranked player, faced unseeded Alize Cornet of France, who eliminated Agnes Szavay of Hungary 7-5, 6-4.
Williams 'struggled' in the first set
Williams' best finish here was runner-up five years ago, the same year Sharapova made the field as a 15-year-old qualifier and lost in the first round.
Williams struggled in the first set, which featured several long games. She won one game after it went to deuce seven times. But in the third set, Sharapova won just four points in the first five games.
"I gave it all I had in the first two and I think I ran a little bit short," the Russian said. "My body is adjusting to the clay faster. I'm moving on it a lot better than I used to."
Cornet, an 18-year-old in her second season on the tour, also reached the semi-finals at Amelia Island last week. Ranked No 40, she had never faced Williams, but watched her play on Friday.
"I said 'Oh my God, if I play Serena tomorrow, I hope not to be ridiculous,"' she said. "I think I will do what I do usually. I will use my topspin forehand. I will run everywhere I can and I will just do my best and fight on every point."
In the evening match, defending champion Jelena Jankovic faced ninth-seeded Vera Zvonareva.
The winner meets either fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva or No. 7 Patty Schnyder in the semi-finals of the $1.3m tournament.
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