Fine semis in Rome. We miss some of the top players (Azarenka, Radwanska and Kvitova), but we still have some top shots.
LI – CIBULKOVA 6-1 7-6(4)
Li Na had a fine game with Cibulkova to defeat her 6-1 7-6 (4) in 1h and 31 minutes. The 2011 French Open winner was in firm control in the first set to have some problems in the second where she couldn’t take the set when serving for the match when leading 5-3. Eventually she got it at the tie break.
SERENA WILLIAMS – PENNETTA 4-0 ret.
Easy stuff for Serena. The American was already overpowering Flavia from the very beginning. But soon it was clear that something was wrong on the Italian side. Flavia had to retire to a wrist injury.
“It’s never nice to go through like that but it is nice to have kind of a semi-day off,” Serena said.“I’ve been playing every day for I don’t know how many days so it definitely helps.”
Serena will play Li in the semis. Head to head 5-1 for Serena. This will be the first time they play each other on the clay.
KERBER – KVITOVA 7-6 (2) 1-6 6-1
Kerber had an important win against Kvitova. The world no.11 was very good in recovering from a terrible second set lost at 6-1 to win the decider with the same result.
Angelique won the Hot Shot of the day
SHARAPOVA – VENUS WILLIAMS 6-4 6-3
Sharapova had a nice fight with Venus to get a decisive break in the first set in the 9th game to win the opener 6-4. Then the Russian got an important early break in the first game of the second set to finally win the match 6-4 6-3.
Maria will play Kerber in he semis. “I lost to Kerber in Paris in February,” Sharapova told “So I’d like to get my revenge in the semi- final. I am certainly going to be motivated for that match and hopefully I can play my best.”
Head to head: 1-1
