Former champion Maria Sharapova as well as world number two Petra Kvitova will face off in the 2012 Australian Open Women’s Semi-Final following both recording straight sets Quarter-Final victories on Wednesday.
Russian Sharapova, the tournament fourth seed advanced through to her fifth semi-final appearance at the year’s first grand slam and first since taking all before her back in 2008 following a straight sets 6-2 6-3 victory over compatriot and unseeded Ekaterina Makarova.
The three-time grand slam champion who is one of three women (Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova are the other two) that can claim the world number one spot needed 87 minutes to beat her fellow country-women, the conqueror of Serena Williams.
Sharapova will next face off against one off her fellow rivals for that world number one spot in world number two Petra Kvitova who moved through to her first semi-final appearance down here in Melbourne after a straight sets 6-4 6-4 victory against unseeded Italian Sara Errani.
Kvitova, last year’s Wimbledon champion needed almost two hours to move into the final four joining the likes of Sharapova as well as reigning champion Kim Clijsters and world number three Victoria Azarenka.
Day 11 of the tournament (Thursday) or Ladies Semi-Final day will start with the clash between Clijsters and Azarenka followed by the clash between Sharapova and Kvitova.
Tagged with: Australian Open, Clash, Compatriot, Conqueror, Country Women, Ekaterina Makarova, Face Off, Final Four, Grand Slam Champion, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Open Women, Petra, Rivals, Serena Williams, Three Women, Victoria Azarenka, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Champion, Women Victoria