TOKYO: Sam Stosur beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 7-6 (10) Thursday at the Pan Pacific Open, knocking the two-time champion out to advance to the semifinals.
Stosur broke Sharapova to go up 5-3 in the second set but then lost nine straight points as Sharapova sent the match to a tiebreaker, which Stosur won when Sharapova’s return was long.
It was only the second time in 11 matches that Sharapova lost to Stosur, who will face Nadia Petrova of Russia on Friday.
Petrova beat sixth-seeded Sara Errani of Italy 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Sharapova wasn’t the only top player to bow out. Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka withdrew after a bout of dizziness in her third-round match Wednesday.
Azarenka’s scheduled opponent on Thursday, fifth-ranked Angelique Kerber of Germany, advanced to the semifinals on a walkover.
Azarenka, playing in her first tournament since losing in the US Open final to Serena Williams, had her blood pressure checked midway through the first set of Wednesday’s match but bounced back.
The Belarusian said she has been struggling with her health since arriving in Japan.
Sharapova ousted at Pan Pacific Open, Azarenka withdraws
Sharapova ousted at Pan Pacific Open, Azarenka withdraws
‘Serious performance’: Dubai Basketball win 14th straight ABA League game
- A 98-82 win over FMP at Coca-Cola Arena keeps the team at the top of the standings
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball maintained control of their ABA League campaign with a home win over Serbian club FMP, taking the Round 16 game at the Coca-Cola Arena by a score of 98-82.
The result pushed Dubai to 14-0 in the standings and kept them at the top of the table.
Dubai are the only team in the league still unbeaten, at home and away. This is the UAE-based team’s second season in the ABA League after a semi-final finish in their debut season.
Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said of his team’s performance: “This was a serious performance and a well-deserved win. Defensively, especially in the second half, we showed the level we want to play at, and the team spirit continues to grow. The season is long, we’ve had challenges, but the character of the group is clear — we stay positive, keep building, and focus on every game.”
After being out with an injury for most of the season, one of Dubai Basketball’s biggest signings, Dzanan Musa, returned with a statement performance — the Bosnian shooting guard scored 21 points in just over 21 minutes of play. Aleksa Avramovic contributed in several areas with 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds, while also controlling tempo during key phases of the game.
Frontcourt production was another factor in Dubai’s consistency. Mfiondu Kabengele added 16 points, and Kenan Kamenjas finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Dubai spread scoring responsibility and avoided prolonged scoring droughts throughout the contest.
FMP was led by Filip Barna with 21 points and six rebounds, with additional scoring from Scott, Stefanovic, Stanojevic, and Gasic. Despite balanced individual efforts, the visitors were unable to match Dubai’s efficiency.
Combined with control of key moments in the second and fourth quarters, that efficiency ensured another composed and convincing home win for Dubai Basketball.
The team head to their next game at Belgrade Arena against Red Star for EuroLeague Round 25.
