By Erik Gudris | Thursday, March 27, 2014
Defending champion Serena Williams will seek a record seventh Miami title after dismissing Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.
Photo Credit: Christopher Levy
"I love playing her. I really do. Doesn't matter what surface or anything. She's one of my favorite people to play. And so I think that helps, too, when you like playing people. I think it just gets you really pumped." -- Serena Williams when asked on Wednesday about facing Maria Sharapova.
There's a reason why Serena Williams enjoys playing Maria Sharapova. The world No.1 has not lost a match to Sharapova in a decade. Sharapova, who almost beat Williams in last year's Sony Open final, sought to reverse that trend when she took on the top seed in Thursday's semifinal. Even though the head to head stood at 15-2 decidedly in Williams' favor, this matchup was still a must-see only to find out if Sharapova could somehow, someway, reveal the key to an elusive victory.
Sharapova, probably knowing she had to start strong, did just that. Though wind played havoc with each player's serve in the opening set, Sharapova fought off multiple break points to stay level with Williams. Finding the angles on her groundstrokes and punishing returns when given the opportunity, Sharapova secured the first break and soon found herself up 4-1.
But how confident was Sharapova? Though she handled the pressure of Williams charging the net by hitting a well-placed passing shot winner, Sharapova's lead began to slip. Soon, Williams once again held break points and this time the top seed did not let them go begging.
Forcing Sharapova to hit long, Williams was back on serve at 3-4.
Williams fended off break points herself in the next game by relying on massive serving. An ace delivered Williams a 4-4 scoreline and it was then that the familiar look of impending doom crossed Sharapova's face, as if yet again realizing this would not be her day.
The first set would not be in Sharapova's favor after all. Williams imposed herself to break Sharapova again to take it 6-4.
Despite Sharapova's coach, Sven Groeneveld, trying to offer calm counsel during the changeover, Sharapova already looked resigned to the inevitable. Williams threw her something of a lifeline early in the second set with a dip in form. Sharapova would earn a 2-0 lead, but again Williams snapped out of her funk long enough to break back and level at 2-all.
Though continuing to make Williams work in their rallies, the initial fire of belief looked extinguished for Sharapova. Stuck in the middle of the court at 3-3, Sharapova quickly fell behind 0-40 on her serve. Williams then hit a routine backhand return that Sharapova netted to give the top seed a 4-3, and likely a match-winning, lead.
Williams wavered a little down the stretch but not enough to give Sharapova any last hope. Serving down 3-5, Sharapova soon would find herself staring at a match point against her. Though the crowd roared in support and probably hoping Sharapova would extend the afternoon, it didn't happen. Williams would make Sharapova hit the bottom of the net again to secure the 6-4, 6-3 win.
Sharapova, able to smile afterwards, aptly summed up her day later by saying, "Yeah, I was in it and then I was not."
Williams now enters the Miami final seeking a record seventh title at the event she calls home. For Sharapova, once again the hunt is on to find a way to defeat Williams. Retired British player Anne Keothavong summed up on Twitter Sharapova's slim chances to do so.
Li Na and Dominika Cibulkova will contend the second semifinal Thursday night.