The semi finals were both close and intense three set battles. Sharapova will now go on to work for CBS, covering the Winter Olympics held in Sochi, Russia.
(Rank/Seed)
Russian, (26/-) Pavlyuchenkova continued her recent improved form with a hard fought 46 63 64 win against compatriot, (5/1) Sharapova to reach her 2nd Premier final after Brisbane 2013. Sharapova started sharply in building a 4-1 lead behind authoritative play, but Pavlyuchenkova warmed to the challenge to level at 4-4. Sharapova broke for the set but the signs that this would be a tough match were clear as Pavlyuchenkova took the ball early on the return, running Sharapova side to side to break twice in the second set as Sharapova's service games grew longer. Respecting Sharapova's return from their last match (which she lost in three sets in Cincinnati 2010), Pavlyuchenkova concentrated to remain unbroken in the third set bar the first game. Despite the early break lead, Sharapova's serve became increasingly ineffective at getting her out of tight spots as Pavlyuchenkova piled on the pressure with her go for broke approach and frustrating defence and anticipation. The mental pressure of serving behind told as she hit successive double faults to lose the match. This was Pavlyuchenkova's fourth straight three set win here, whilst it seems Sharapova is still struggling to find mental consistency in three set matches where she was once so secure! In a match all about the big one, two punch, fine margins made the difference as both finished with impressive winner:error ratios; Pavlyuchenkova 28:15, Sharapova 32:23.
7/3 Errani's year continues to follow last year's pattern as she reached the final here off the back of a first round defeat at the Australian Open, edging France's, (25/25) Cornet 76(3) 36 76(5). The match took over 3 hours with both players struggling to hold their serves but both players showed plenty of heart. Cornet was always fighting back, using the crowds support to help her recover from 3-5 down in the decider to lead 6-5 and then from 3-5 to 5-5 in the tiebreak. However, Errani handled her emotions better throughout against a typically demonstrative Cornet to eventually overcome the challenge, her 4th straight win against Cornet.
Pavlyuchenkova beat Errani in their only previous meeting, indoors during the Fed Cup in 2011 in two tiebreakers. Pavlyuchenkova also has the better finals record, winning 5 from 8 compared to Errani's 7 from 14. Both players are hunting for their first Premier title and they will both be tired (Errani scratched the doubles semi final). I think Pavlyuchenkova should have too much weight of shot for Errani and will claim a third straight top 10 win to do as Pironkova did a few weeks ago in Sydney. Errani, I fear will suffer the same fate as last year in being overpowered in the final.
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