Sharapova advances after tough straight sets win; Zvonareva demolished on Day 5 in L.A

On Day 5 in L.A, Maria Sharapova was challenged by Polish Urszula Radwanska, but the Russian managed to win in tough straight sets, while No. 2 seed Zvonareva was crushed by an Italian with an easy straight sets score.

Sharapova was pushed to the limits by the younger Radwanska sister, winning the first set with a close score. The second set was more harder for Sharapova, as Radwanska took a 5-3 lead, but the Russian regrouped to win with a score of 64 75. In some games in the second set, Sharapova made three double faults to have a 0-40 score.

"It was just a matter of regrouping and staying positive," Sharapova said of the second set. "Slowly but surely, I'm finding my way on the court. A lot of what you lose when you miss time is that reflex, that hand-eye coordination, and I feel I'm getting it back. Sometimes it's just a matter of inches. There's a very thin line between winning and losing a tennis match."

Zvonareva was shocked by No. 10 seed Flavia Pennetta, with a score of 64 62. Pennetta will face Sharapova for a final berth.

"I was playing very well from the beginning. My serve was great tonight and that was the important thing for me," Pennetta said. "It will be a tough match against Maria. I will need to play like I did tonight. My serve needs to be there again."

Friday, August 7, 2009

Singles - Quarterfinals

(10) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (2) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 64 62

Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. (8) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 76(4) 16 75

(13) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (14) Zheng Jie (CHN) 46 63 64

Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 64 75