Line call row as Sharapova triumphs

MARIA Sharapova benefited from a chair umpire’s overrule on a disputed final point and edged out Caroline Wozniacki 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in their Sony Ericsson Open semi-final.

At 40-30 in the last game, Sharapova hit a second serve that the linesman called long, which would have been a double fault, but umpire Kader Nouni immediately reversed the ruling and ordered the point replayed. Wozniacki had no challenges left, but TV replays showed Nouni was correct.

Sharapova was awarded two serves and took advantage with a big first serve to set up an overhead smash for the victory. Wozniacki, angry about the overrule, declined to shake Nouni’s hand and had words with him as she walked to the exit.

The tournament is guaranteed a first-time women’s champion as Sharapova’s opponent will be either Agnieszka Radwanska or Marion Bartoli, who handed defending champion Victoria Azarenka her first loss of the year.

Sharapova was in an attacking mode against Wozniacki, going for winners at every opportunity and hit 55, but she also committed 46 unforced errors. Wozniacki totalled only 13 winners and 25 errors.

By the time she led four-love in the second set, Sharapova had a 27-4 advantage in winners. She took a 5-2 lead in the final set before Wozniacki staged one last rally, which fell short amid the fuss at the finish.