Sharapova Outlasts Bartoli to Reach Semis

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Sharapova Outlasts Bartoli to Reach Semis

By Chris Oddo

Maria Sharapova plays her quarterfinal match against Marion Bartoli at the 2012 US Open

(September 5, 2012)—Maria Sharapova continued her recent run of domination in third sets today, fighting back from a set down to defeat the determined Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the US Open on Wednesday afternoon.

The rain-postponed match was resumed with Bartoli leading 4-0 in the first set, and the Frenchwoman held on to win the first set 6-3 before Sharapova could get her bearings.

“I came out so flat yesterday,” said Sharapova, “and she was on fire. I think it was just a matter of a bad four games yesterday. The match wasn’t over, I still had a chance to come out today and see how things go and try to turn it around.”

As the match wore on, Sharapova was able to gather herself and gradually get on even footing with the hard-hitting, fist-pumping eleventh seed.

The Russian took the second set 6-3 (while hitting 18 winners to only two for Bartoli) and jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in the final set before Bartoli broke back then held for a 3-2 lead.

Throughout fifty-seven minute third set there was an air of intensity from both women, as Sharapova and Bartoli desperately fought to deny the other the upper hand. The fist-pumping and yelping after points pierced the quiet confines of a half-full Arthur Ashe stadium as the tension in the final set mounted.

The players remained on serve until 4-4 when Sharapova, true to her 2012 form, converted her second break point of the set, then served the match out without a threat from the first-time US Open quarterfinalist.

The victory was a difficult one for Sharapova, but in the end the result was what many expected

Remarkably Sharapova has yet to lose a match that has gone the distance in 2012. The Russian has won all 12 of her three-set matches, and has only lost one such match dating back to 2011. “A little bit of luck always helps,” Sharapova said of her steady stream of late-match heroics. “You get in those situations and you figure it’s one set-all. This is kind of where it all matters; you have to put it all down on the line.”

Sharapova advances to her first US Open semifinal since 2006 with the victory and she will face another player who has had remarkable success in third sets this year. Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Sharapova in this year’s Australian Open final, has won all eleven of her three-set matches as well.

Azarenka needed three sets to get by defending US Open champion Sam Stosur in quarterfinal action yesterday, and the Belarusian has won her last four hard-court matches against Sharapova in straight-sets, all in finals.

“She’s a tough one,” said Sharapova of her next test. “I’m looking forward to that. She beat me in Australia quite easily and I’d love to get my revenge at a Grand Slam.”

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)