Sharapova one step away from first title in 17 months, and will face Jankovic for the crown

Maria Sharapova got a step closer to winning her first title in 17 months in Tokyo, as the Russian prevailed against No. 11 seed Agnieszka Radwanska to get to the final, while awaiting her is No. 7 seed Jelena Jankovic, who ousted Li Na in straight sets on Friday.

Jankovic took the courts first, beating Na with an easy score of 64 63.

Sharapova won the first set to Radwanska, lost the second, and came back to win the third. The final score was 63 26 64.

"I missed those match points by a hair," said Sharapova, who had match points at 5-3 in the third set but ended up closing it out a game later. "I knew I had to keep going for it and I did. I was able to step it up. I'm one win away now and I have to lay it all on the line."

"I expect a tough match," Sharapova said. "Jelena is a very solid player, a great mover, so it will be a very physical match. I'll have to fight for every point."

Friday, October 2, 2009

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (15) Li Na (CHN) 64 63
Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (11) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 63 26 64