Tianjin Open: Maria Sharapova in Tianjin semis

Maria Sharapova equalled her best performance since returning from a doping suspension as she breezed into the Tianjin Open semi-finals yesterday. The Russian easily defeated Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-1 in 64 minutes. The former World No. 1 will face China's Peng Shuai in the last four.

Maria Sharapova

In her first tournament back, in Stuttgart, she made it to the semi-finals but has been unable to repeat that feat again, until now. Sharapova, 30, ranked 86 in the world, was granted a wildcard for Tianjin because her ranking was too low. "She really likes playing here and is the defending champion so she feels really good about the court and the atmosphere," Sharapova said of Peng, according to the WTA website.