Sharapova saves four break points to beat Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4 for semis spot; needs one win to seal French Open qualifiers berth
Russia's Maria Sharapova returns to Estonia's Anett Kontaveit during the Stuttgart Open quarter-final yesterday. Pic/AFP
Russia's Maria Sharapova returns to Estonia's Anett Kontaveit during the Stuttgart Open quarter-final yesterday. Pic/AFP
Maria Sharapova needs just one more win to book her place in French Open qualifying after beating Anett Kontaveit to reach the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open here yesterday.
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The 30-year-old is yet to drop a set following her return from a 15-month doping ban and saw off the spirited challenge of Estonian qualifier Kontaveit 6-3, 6-4.
The ranking points Sharapova has collected mean she is already close to rejoining the top 250 on Monday, and victory in the last four on Saturday would guarantee a spot in the top 200.
Anett Kontaveit
That would be enough to earn her entry into the qualifying tournament at Roland Garros without the need for a wild card. The French Tennis Federation will announce whether the two-time French Open champion has been awarded a wild card into the main draw on May 16.
"I had a good rhythm. When you don't know your opponent too well, the first six games we were trying to figure each other out but holding serve quite comfortably. When I got the opportunity I felt I really rolled with it and gained confidence from it," she added.
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