Sharapova, Kuznetsova, Serena Into Semifinals at WTA Beijing

Posted on September 24, 2004

US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova and Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova won their quarterfinal matches Friday at the WTA stop in Beijing to set up a semifinal showdown on Saturday.

Sharapova led Jelena Jankovic 5-2 when the Serb retired with an ankle injury.

"I was happy to play a very good set. Though she was injured, we did have some good points," Sharapova said. "I liked the way I was playing and today too...I'm still enjoying myself, that's the most important thing."

Kuznetsova beat Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-4 6-2.

"I'm in good shape," said Kuznetsova, competing in her fourth straight week of play after winning the US Open and the WTA stop in Bali. "I've been tired here but I think I can handle it."

Not to be forgotten is the top-seeded Serena Williams, who advanced into the semis when Russian Nadia Petrova retired during their match with a sprained ankle trailing 2-6, 1-4. In the semifinals Serena will face No. 4 seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who beat Spain's Anabel "Funky Cold" Medina Garrigues 6-2, 6-3.

"I think I played solid today but definitely I can play better," said the ever-perfectionist Serena. "I'm really excited that I'm playing a little better, definitely better than in the (previous) round."

Saturday's semis match up as (2) Kuznetsova vs. (3) Sharapova (Kuznetsova leads career meetings 1-0 with a win at Wimbledon in 2003), and (1) Serena vs. (4) Zvonareva (Serena leads 2-0, with both meetings going three sets).