TIANJIN: Maria Sharapova equalled her best performance since returning from a doping suspension as she breezed into the Tianjin Open semifinals on Friday.
The Russian easily defeated Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-1 in 64 minutes and the former world No. 1 will face China’s Peng Shuai in the last four.
Sharapova returned in April from a 15-month suspension for taking the banned substance meldonium.
In her first tournament back, in Stuttgart, she made it to the semifinals but has been unable to repeat that feat again, until now.
The 30-year-old, ranked 86 in the world, was granted a wildcard for Tianjin because her ranking was too low.
“Obviously 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.
“We haven’t played in a long time and I know that it will be a tough match, just because it’s the semifinals and when you get to the latter stages it’s not getting easier.
“She really likes playing here and is playing well, and I hope to rise to the occasion,” added Sharapova, yet to drop a set in three matches in Tianjin.
Peng, the third seed and reigning Tianjin champion, will offer a far sterner test than 196-ranked Voegele.
Sharapova and Peng have played one another six times before, with the Russian winning five of them.
Home hope Peng thrashed Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-0, 6-1 in their quarter-final.
In the other semifinal on Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays Italian qualifier Sara Errani.
Sharapova marches into Tianjin semifinals
Sharapova marches into Tianjin semifinals
Twice champion Naomi Osaka out of Australian Open
- Osaka said on social media that her body needed attention following her previous match against Sorana Cirstea
MELBOURNE: Twice Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Grand Slam ahead of her scheduled third round match on Saturday, citing a fitness problem.
Her opponent, Australian Maddison Inglis, has a walkover into the fourth round.
Japanese 16th seed Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 winner at Melbourne Park, said on social media that her body needed attention following her previous match against Sorana Cirstea, without elaborating on the issue.
“I’ve had to make the difficult decision to withdraw to address something my body needs attention for after my last match,” she wrote.
“I was so excited to keep going and this run meant the most to me, so having to stop here breaks my heart but I can’t risk doing any further damage so I can get back on the court.”
The pull-out is a setback for Osaka, who has been returning to her best and made the US Open semifinals last year.
At Melbourne Park, Osaka made a huge splash before her opening match against Antonia Ruzic when she entered Rod Laver Arena in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, one of the boldest fashion statements seen at a Grand Slam.
