Sharapova says nemesis Kvitova is ‘the one to beat’

MARIA Sharapova feels Petra Kvitova is “the one to beat” after setting up a semi-final clash with the Czech at the Australian Open. Sharapova was too strong for Ekaterina Makarova – the conqueror of Serena Williams in the previous round – while Kvitova struggled to get past Italian Sara Errani.

Although No 2 seed Kvitova turned in an error-filled display in beating the world No 48, she has won her past two meetings with Sharapova, including the Wimbledon final last year.

“I’ve lost to her the last couple of times – including obviously the big one at Wimbledon where she played really well,” the Russian said. “I think she’s the one to beat right now, she’s playing the best tennis of her career, coming off so many wins last year. I’m looking forward to the match-up. I don’t like losing so many times in a row so I’ll certainly be going out there and trying to play my best.”

Sharapova was the more impressive of the two yesterday, a ruthlessly efficient display accounting for Makarova, who acquitted herself well in her first grand slam quarter-final.

“It was solid today,” said Sharapova. “I thought she was going to play well coming off a big win, probably the biggest of her career. It was important for me not to give her too much of a look at the open court. I really wanted to take advantage of my game and improve from the previous match and I think I stepped up when I had to.”

In a match of hard-hitting baseline rallies, fourth seed Sharapova possessed the greater accuracy, particularly at the key moments, to win 6-2, 6-3.

The 2008 champion, Sharapova has made smooth progress through the draw with her only dropped set coming against Sabine Lisicki in round four. Indeed, the only shadow being cast over her tournament is the issue of grunting which has again been raised, with Sharapova and her fellow semi-finalist Victoria Azarenka singled out as the worst offenders.

Agnieszka Radwanska, beaten by Azarenka in the last eight, spoke out after her loss and expressed hope the WTA would take action. When asked about Radwanska’s comments, Sharapova said: “Isn’t she back in Poland already? I’ve been the same over the course of my career. No-one important enough has told me to change or do something different.”

Kvitova overcame a mid-match slump to beat Errani 6-4, 6-4. With her big-hitting game, the match was always going to be played on Kvitova’s terms. And so it proved as the rallies were won or lost by the lanky left-hander with Errani simply trying to make it as difficult as possible for her opponent. And for the most part she did a good job.