Could we be in for a big shock in the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships in Madrid? The girl who didn't qualify and wasn't supposed to be playing, has reached the semi-finals. Yes, Maria Sharapova is back!

After a disappointing season, the Russian girl showed all the signs of recapturing her true form with some superb results in the Red Group to set up clash with her compatriot, Anna Chakvetad in the semi-finals today, while Ana Ivanovic will face World No. 1 Justine Henin, too-easy winner of the Yellow Group, in the other semi.

Now let's check out some of the Red Group performances:
'After a disappointing season, the Russian girl showed all the signs of recapturing her true form with some superb results'


Maria Sharapova: The Russian didn’t even qualify but Venus Williams’ withdrawal gave her the last birth. And Maria was on a mission, producing a display of power and supremacy. She faced off against in-form Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, looked by far the fresher, and won 6-4 7-5. It was an all Russian affair after that but she survived a first set loss against Svetlana Kuznetsova and recovered for a thrilling 5-7 6-2 6-2 victory. The last match was set to send shock waves through Madrid as she squared off fellow semi-finalist Ana Ivanovic, but it was Sharapova alone who dominated the talented Serbian 6-1 6-2.

Ana Ivanovic: Showed nothing less then mesmorising tennis. Kicked off her campaign against Group leader Kuznetsova but showed brilliance to fend off the Russian 6-1 4-6 7-5. Daniela Hantuchova was next but Ana  didn’t fail to impress, surviving a sturdy second set tie break 6-2 7-6(9). Although she already qualified Ana was easily beaten by Sharapova 6-1 6-2.

Daniela Hantuchova: Coming off a great European indoor season, the Slovakian failed to continue the dazzling play as she went down to Sharapova and made a slow start again in her next match against Ivanovic. She lost the first set 6-2 but failed to cash in on two set points in the second and finally lost the tie-break 7-6(9). Although there was nothing to play for except pride, Daniela finished off the Round Robin format against Kuznetsova. She squared off her fabulous season with a 7-6 6-0 victory.

Svetlana Kuznetsova: It was an extremely disappointing finish for the new leading lady of Russia. She played inconsistent but good tennis. She couldn’t bring out brilliance frequently enough, which dumped her at the bottom of the Group, losing all three of her matches against Sharapova,  Kusnetsova and Hantuchova. A real disappointment for the Spanish-based Russian.

Sharapova was a real charm and has saved a disastrous season, she went against her poor expectations to shock the spectators. Ivanovic played stunning tennis as well, but she has a real challenge in the semi-final.  Kuznetsova was a real let down and Daniela Hantuchova was slow but got somewhere.

For more information on the Madrid showdowns, check out my tennis website: www.ashaffi.page.tl

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