MOSCOW, October 4 (RIA Novosti) Russian tennis pro Maria Sharapova is set to battle the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova for the $5.4 million China Open prize and the number two spot in the world, SkySports reports.
Sharapova, who currently ranks fourth in the world among female tennis players, defeated Serbia’s Anna Ivanovich 6–0, 6–4 to move on to the final. This was the thirteenth time the two had competed in the World Tennis Association; Sharapova has won nine times and been defeated four.
Kvitova, who ranks third in the world, defeated Australia’s Samantha Stosur after a difficult three rounds, scoring 6–3, 5–7, 6–2.
Each of the two women have earned a Grand Slam title this year: Sharapova won in Paris, and Kvitova was the victor at Wimbledon.
Simona Halep, currently ranked number two, dropped out of the China Open this week due to a hip injury, while world tennis champion Serena Williams probably won’t play again this season.
