Maria Sharapova advanced to a grudge-match US Open semi-final against top seed Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday. Russian third seed Sharapova reached the semi-finals for the first time since her 2006 US Open title run by rallying to defeat French 11th seed Marion Bartoli 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that began on Tuesday but was halted by rain.
Sharapova, who improved to 12-0 in three-set matches this year, faces a Friday showdown against World No 1 Azarenka, a 23-year-old from Belarus who beat Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in last January's Australian Open final. "Tough challenge," Sharapova said. "She beat me in Australia quite easily and I would love to get my revenge at a Grand Slam."
Azarenka, who ousted defending champion Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday, leads the all-time rivalry with Sharapova 5-4, including a victory in March's Indian Wells final and a loss in April's Stuttgart final on clay. "It's always tough to lose in that final stage of a Grand Slam," Sharapova said. "Last time we played was in Stuttgart where I beat her, but before that she got me a couple times. But that was on clay. This is a different situation.
US fourth seed Serena Williams advanced to the US Open semi-finals for the fourth time in five years on Wednesday by defeating Serbian 12th seed Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-3 in 58 minutes. Three-time champion Williams, a 14-time Grand Slam winner who lost to Samantha Stosur in last year's final, will next play on Friday against Italian 10th seed Sara Errani for a berth in Saturday's championship match.
"It's going to be a good matchup. She is such a fighter. She's so strong and quick," Williams said. "I'm just so happy to be in the semis. It's so cool." Errani became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the US Open semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over 20th-seeded compatriot, doubles partner and best friend Roberta Vinci. "It's always hard to play against a friend and it was strange seeing her on the other side of the net," said Errani. "I am happy to get to the semi-final. Can I win the title? I will tell you in three or four days."