Sharapova Books Date With Venus in Rome Quarters

© RIA Novosti . Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankMaria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova - Sputnik International
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Maria Sharapova will play Venus Williams in the quarterfinals of the Rome Masters after defeating former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

Maria Sharapova will play Venus Williams in the quarterfinals of the Rome Masters after defeating former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic in the third round.

In a battle between two former world No. 1s, Sharapova fought back from 5-3 down in the first set, saving six set points to prevail in the tiebreak.

Ivanovic took a 3-1 lead in the second, only for the Russian to mount another comeback and for a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win.

"I started the match off really slowly. It was really important for me to get back into that set," Sharapova said in comments on the WTA website.

"When she had the set points I think I was more consistent in those moments, and that paid off. Ultimately it helped me with my confidence later when she was up a break again in the second set."

Sharapova last played Venus Williams in 2009 and last beat the American in Miami in 2007, but said she was looking forward to their first match on clay.

"We haven't played each other for a long time, but we've faced each other many times before and seen each other play too. It’s great to be at this stage again and playing each other. I hope it'll be a great match."

Whoever wins the match will take the lead in their head-to-head standings, currently at 3-3, as well as setting up a semifinal meeting with either world No. 4 Petra Kvitova or No. 11 Angelique Kerber.

Sharapova is the reigning champion in Rome after defeating Australia’s Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-4 in last year’s final.

 

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