Sharapova slams Voegele to reach first semi-final since April
(dpa)
Beijing - Maria Sharapova reached her second semi-final since returning to tennis last April by hammering Swiss Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-1 on Friday at the Tianjin Open.
Sharapova is starting to show resilience after a run of injuries kept her from attempting to qualify for the French Open and Wimbledon; she reached the fourth round of the US Open last month.
The 30-year-old with five grand slam titles on her resume made a quick start against the 196th-ranked Voegele, taking a lead of a set and 4-0.
The Swiss made an effort by winning by winning a final game - her fourth - before falling to defeat in 64 minutes with eight double-faults.
Wild card Sharapova advanced with five breaks of her opponent's serve while losing her own once.
The former number one Sharapova, now ranked 86th after getting back to the sport following a 15-month doping ban, also reached the semis six month ago at her comeback event in Stuttgart.
Sharapova, who has not dropped a set all week in China, will await an opponent as Spain's Sara Sorribes faces third seed and defending champion Peng Shuai.
The 30-year-old with five grand slam titles on her resume made a quick start against the 196th-ranked Voegele, taking a lead of a set and 4-0.
The Swiss made an effort by winning by winning a final game - her fourth - before falling to defeat in 64 minutes with eight double-faults.
Wild card Sharapova advanced with five breaks of her opponent's serve while losing her own once.
The former number one Sharapova, now ranked 86th after getting back to the sport following a 15-month doping ban, also reached the semis six month ago at her comeback event in Stuttgart.
Sharapova, who has not dropped a set all week in China, will await an opponent as Spain's Sara Sorribes faces third seed and defending champion Peng Shuai.