Maria Sharapova into Cincinnati semis after win over Simona Halep

Maria Sharapova won a re-match of her French Open title victory over Simona Halep, rallying for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters

Cincinnati: Maria Sharapova won a re-match of her French Open title victory over Simona Halep, rallying for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters.

Maria Sharapova

The reigning Roland Garros holder will play Ana Ivanovic after the Serb ninth seed defeated Ukrainian teenager Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-3 in less than an hour on Friday night.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, has won eight of 11 meetings with her former world number one opponent. Ivanovic claimed their last meeting in the third round at Rome in May.

Sharapova had to make a great escape against World No 2 Halep, who has burst into WTA prominence over the past year. Sharapova won her fifth match against Halep without a loss. Sharapova also claimed her 13th match at the pre-US Open event and took the title in 2011.

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