By Erik Gudris | Friday, May 9, 2014

 

Maria Sharapova fought back from a poor start against Li Na in their quarterfinal. Waiting for her next in Madrid is Agnieszka Radwanska.

Photo Credit: Christopher Levy

With a combination of untimely errors from her opponent and gritty self-resolve, Maria Sharapova booked her spot into the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals.

WTA: Serena Withdraws From Madrid Quarterfinal

The former French Open champion faced off against another former Paris winner in Li Na during their quarterfinal on Friday. Early on, it appeared Li would wrap up an easy win as she surged out to a double break lead in the opening set.

Despite not hitting a single winner during the set, Li clinched it 6-2.

Sharapova's troubles continued as she netted a forehand that handed Li yet another break for 4-3 in the second set. But Li couldn't hang on to her momentum as multiple errors flew off her racquet. With that, Sharapova broke back for 4-all. More errors from Li would allow the No. 8 seed Sharapova to escape going down another break of serve. Soon, a tiebreak ensued with Sharapova capitalizing on more miscues from the No. 2 seed.

Li would connect for a few winners to save two set points. But another forehand error from her allowed Sharapova to secure the set 7-6(5).

Neither woman could hold serve in the opening games of the final set. Going up 40-0 at 2-1, Sharapova found herself at deuce. But Sharapova won a key rally in the match on the next point with a massive forehand winner. Sharapova would eventually consolidate a break lead for 3-1.

Despite facing break points down the stretch, Sharapova would fend off Li in the closing stages. The contest soon ended on a rough note a few games later. Li, down triple match point on her serve, tossed in a wayward double fault to end it.

Sharapova took delight in the 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 win that sends her back into the Madrid semifinals.

Next for Sharapova is No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. Despite dropping the second set to rising French talent Caroline Garcia, Radwanska would rally to complete a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win.

Halep and Kvitova To Meet In Semifinals

Earlier in the day, top seed and defending champion Serena Williams withdrew from the event due to a left thigh injury.

No. 5 seed Petra Kvitova, her scheduled quarterfinal opponent, advanced with a walkover.

Kvitova will now face No. 4 seed Simona Halep in Saturday's semifinal. Halep dispatched Ana Ivanovic in their quarterfinal meeting 6-2, 6-2.