Maria Sharapova had little trouble in reaching the semifinals of the 2013 Australian open with a straight-set victory over fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova on Tuesday. The women’s No. 2 lost just four games in continuing her hot run. She has yet to lose a set in the entire tournament.
Australian Open 2013 bracket update: Maria Sharapova breezes through to semis
Half of the Australian Open women’s final four is set as quarterfinal play got underway on Tuesday.
Cameron Spencer
Sharapova was sloppy on her serve, recording five double faults to match her five aces. She made up for that by winning 83 percent of the 29 first serves she landed in. Sharapova also played excellent defense, winning 74 percent of Makarova’s second serve points and 41 percent of her first serves.
Marakova didn’t do much to help herself, as she recorded 23 unforced errors to just 11 winners. She forced Sharapova to just one break point, while facing 10 herself. Sharapova won five of those break points to set up the easy victory.
Women’s No. 6 Li Na also advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday with a 7-5. 6-3 victory over No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska. Both players struggled on their serve, but Li played the best defense on the way to winning 57 percent of receiving points. She rose to the occasion to grab six of seven break point opportunities, and overcoming six of 10 that she faced herself.
Li and Sharapova face off next for a trip to the tournament final.
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