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Sharapova advances to Italian Open Semis
Maria Sharapova finally won a quarterfinal match on clay. The Russian teenager easily advanced to the Italian Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over countrywoman Elena Bovina on Friday. Sharapova failed to reach the semis in six previous clay-court tournaments.
"I'm really excited," the top-seeded Sharapova said. "I'm playing better and better as the tournament goes on, although I know it's going to be a lot tougher in my next round."
"I think having a year to work — I worked really hard physically — is paying off," she said. "I feel a lot stronger on the clay, like I can play more matches in a row, and still feel good physically."
In the other half of the draw, defending champion Amelie Mauresmo advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over four-time Italian Open winner Conchita Martinez. Mauresmo will next meet sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who beat unseeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (4). Mauresmo beat Zvonareva in the semifinals en route to her title here last year. Sharapova can move past Lindsay Davenport for the No. 1 world ranking if she wins this tournament. In her match Friday, Sharapova produced 21 winners to 11 for the ninth-seeded Bovina. Sharapova hasn't dropped a set in her first three matches.
"I'm much more satisfied with today's match," Mauresmo said. "In the beginning, she had some opportunities and it was important that I played my game and didn't let her play." Mauresmo has reached the final of this clay-court tournament the last four years. The Frenchwoman also beat Martinez in the third round here last year. "I've always played well here. It's unbelievable to do so well at a tournament," Mauresmo said.
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