Sharapova ecstatic after beating Sabine to make first Wimbledon final in seven years; faces Kvitova next
Sharapova ecstatic after beating Sabine to make firstu00a0Wimbledon final in seven years; faces Kvitova next
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Maria Sharapova outgunned big-hitting German youngster Sabine Lisicki in straight sets yesterday to power into her first Wimbledon final for seven years.
The Russian fifth seed ufffd the winner in 2004 ufffd overcame a slow start to overwhelm wildcard Lisicki 6-4, 6-3 to advance to a final against Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova on Saturday.
Russian Maria Sharapova returns to German Sabine Lisicki during
yesterdays' Wimbledon semi-final in London. Sharapova won 6-4, 6-3.
PIC/AFP
World No 62 Lisicki, who had stunned second seeded French Open champion Li Na during a fairytale run to the last four, was always in trouble after her powerful serve deserted her midway through the first set.
"It's amazing to be back in the final at Wimbledon, it's been a while," a delighted Sharapova said afterwards.
"I'm really happy even though I didn't play my best tennis today," added Sharapova, who totted up 13 double-faults during a patchy display.u00a0 "To be in the final is a great achievement for me but I feel like I've got more to do."
Kvitova glory
Big-hitting Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic reached her first final when she defeated Belarusian fourth seed Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 in a rollercoaster semi-final.
The 21-year-old is the first Czech since Jana Novotna in 1998 to make the title match. She is also the first left-hander to make the final at the All England Club since her childhood inspiration Martina Navratilova, watching from the Royal Box on Centre Court, in 1990.
"I saw Martina in the locker room and she wished me good luck. I'm so happy but I don't really believe I am in the final," said Kvitova, whose 40 winners to Azarenka's nine were the foundation of her triumph.
Azarenka backed Kvitova for the title. "She can beat anybody any day, because right now she has a really good game.u00a0
"If she's going to play like she played today, I'm sure she has all the chances to win the next match," she said.
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