Sharapova's run ended by Na in semifinal

No. 4 seed Li Na has reserved her spot in the final of the AEGON Classic after ousting the favourite, Maria Sharapova, in tough straight sets, and the Chinese player will face Magdalena Rybarikova, who had a much tougher time on court against Sania Mirza.

Sharapova fought a lot in her match against Na, but that wasn't enough to defeat her opponent, as Na won with a score of 64 64.

"I definitely wasn't playing with the same intensity I had in the last couple of matches. Some days you have it, some days you don't," Sharapova said. "Against an opponent like her, that intensity has to be there every step of the match. I'm still getting used to a few things in my game. I just have to keep working, keep trying to get everything better and better."

"I was up 4-2 in the second set and double faulted twice. I was up 4-2 in the third set last week too. When I double faulted, I was thinking, 'What are you doing?'" Li said. "I lost to her so many times before. So I'm excited to win."

Rybarikova lost the first set in her match against Mirza, but that didn't let her down, as she won the next two sets with ease, finishing the match with a score of 36 60 63.

"She played aggressively from the start and it surprised me," Rybarikova said. "I had to start playing aggressive myself. I think my serve was the key to the match. Grass if my favorite surface - I reached the junior final of Wimbledon and I like playing at the net. I'm hoping I can continue this in the final tomorrow."

Na and Rybarikova have never played before, so whoever wins will take the lead!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Singles - Semifinals

(4) Li Na (CHN) d. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 64 64

(13) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Sania Mirza (IND) 36 60 63