Sharapova in Hunt for Second Wimbledon Title
2004 Wimbledon Ladies Champion Maria Sharapova has easily advanced to the semi-finals at the 2011 championship with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Dominika Cibulkova.
Sharapova will play wildcard Sabine Lisicki who defeated 2007 finalist Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-7, 6-1. Lisicki had several match points in the second set but gave them up before dominating the final set to advance.
Just a month ago in Madrid Sharapova and Cibulkova met each other on clay and Cibulkova came away with a 7-5 6-4 win. On grass at Wimbledon it was a completely different story.
Many would be surprised that Sharapova had not won another Wimbledon title since winning her first title as a 17-year-old.
She reached the semis twice in the years that followed her win but then injury and loss of form meant it has taken since 2006 to make a return to the semis.
“I feel I’m improving with every match. I’ve put a lot of work in to get to this stage but the tournament isn’t over. The matches are only going to get tougher from here. Sabine is playing with so much confidence, and playing really great grass court tennis. That’s always very dangerous.” said Sharapova after the match.
The other semi will see Victoria Azarenka play Petra Kvitova. Azarenka reached the semis after defeating Tamira Paszek 6-3, 6-1 and Kvitova defeated Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2.
Kvitova reached the semis at the 2010 Wimbledon event so has that experience to draw from, Azarenka will be playing her first grand slam semi.
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