By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, March 25, 2014

 

In a rematch of last year's Sony Open final, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will face off in this year's semis after each posted straight sets wins.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

One of the most iconic WTA matchups will resume as Serena Williams takes on Maria Sharapova at the Sony Open semifinals down in Miami. Both women posted straight sets wins in their respective quarterfinals although on very different terms.

Angelique Kerber of Germany entered her quarterfinal match Tuesday night against Williams knowing she had beaten the World No. 1 once before. Though Williams in the earlier rounds posted scratchy results to reach this stage, it appeared the knowledge of taking on Kerber prompted her to elevate her game.

Williams started off in strong form by firing down potent serves as well as delivering powerful returns against the German. That pressure allowed Williams to take hold of a 3-1 lead in the first set. Williams would face break point a few games later, but she swatted that potential setback away with a forehand winner.

After holding for 5-2, more pinpoint returns from Williams soon garnered her the set 6-2.

Despite Kerber trying to be more aggressive against Williams, it did little to stop the inevitable outcome. Williams fought to deuce against Kerber's serve at 3-2 in the second set and soon collected the key break to take the advantage. Running down almost everything in sight, Williams knocked off a fine volley winner while up at 5-2 to close to within two points of the match.

A final backhand return winner from Williams closed out the 6-2, 6-2 win for her in just over an hour.

"I knew I had to play better today against a top ten player," Williams said after the win.

Sharapova Surges Over Kvitova in Quarters

Despite yet another slow start, Sharapova found her game in time to roll past Petra Kvitova in their earlier quarterfinal.

Kvitova would start the match by breaking Sharapova in the opening game. From there, Kvitova built a 4-2 lead off of strong shotmaking. But Sharapova would level the set soon enough for 4-all after Kvitova netted a backhand while down break point.

Sharapova would break Kvitova at love a few games later to close out the first set 7-5. The second set saw no let up from Sharapova as she rolled out to a 5-0 lead against Kvitova.

Eventually, Sharapova wrapped up the 7-5, 6-1 victory that puts her one match win away from her sixth final in Miami.

"Little by little I started seeing more opportunities and started getting myself back in the points and playing my game, playing well, going inside the baseline. You never are sure until you finish the match and you win the last point, but I really felt like I started doing the right things," Sharapova said later about the match.

Sharapova now enters the semis knowing she is on the losing end of the overall head to head versus Williams who leads 15 to 2. Despite her losing record, Sharapova looks forward to the challenge.

"It's no secret that she's been a big challenge of mine, an opponent that obviously I would love to beat. There are certainly, you know, ways that I need to step up in certain situations that I haven't been able to do in the past against her. But it's great that I have come to that stage and have the opportunity to play her again."