Little-known Czech Siniakova hammers 10 aces en route to beating Sharapova in semi-final; meets Halep in final
Russia's Maria Sharapova is dejected after losing to Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova in Shenzhen Open semi-final yesterday. Pic: AP/PTI
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Former world number one Maria Sharapova was dumped out in the semi-finals of the Shenzhen Open, losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to holder Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic yesterday.
The Russian will return to the top 50 next week with the Australian Open looming at the end of the month, but she failed to reach her second final since returning last April after a drugs ban. Siniakova hit 10 aces to set up a final with top-ranked Simona Halep. Halep cruised into the decider in southern China with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 victory over Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.
Sharapova was banned for 15 months for taking the performance-enhancing substance meldonium, and has been working her way up the rankings since returning to action, winning the Tianjin Open in October.
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