They have the same name, they are both Russian, they are very good looking and damn strong. Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko will fight for a place in the 2013 Indian Wells final.
Sharapova
It took 2 hours for Maria Sharapva to defeat an inspired Errani that broke the Russian straight away in the first game (well Maria helped a lot with a couple of double faults). Eventually Sara dropped the service in the following game to then squander a set point in the tie break. From that moment it was just about Sharapova that after winning the breaker at 6, she won the second set 6-2.
I’m giving myself an opportunity to be back in the final, and hopefully I will go farther this time,” commented Sharapova.
Kirilenko
The “other Maria” had a much togher life with Petra Kvitova to win in 3 tough sets. Petra Kvitova definitely helped by committing a whopping 13double faults on 14 service games. The Czech conceded 15 break points to save 10 of them.
The Semifinal
Head to head is 4-2 for Sharapova that defeated Kirilenko in the quarterfinals last year in Indian Wells 3-6 7-5 6-2.