Sharapova to Face Schnyder for 2007 Acura Classic Title

Top-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia will face 11th seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland in the Acura Classic final at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Sharapova holds a 5-1 lead in career head-to-head meetings with Schnyder, but in their last meeting in the fourth round at the French Open this year, the Russian narrowly escaped with a, 3-6, 6-4, 9-7, victory.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon, Sharapova, the defending Acura Classic champion, powered her way to a 6-3, 6-2, semifinal victory over fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze, who was seeded number three.

Playing before a capacity crowd on Stadium Court, Sharapova converted on five of eight break point opportunities in the match, which took 1 hour and 9 minutes. In last night’s semifinal, Schnyder defeated ninth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia, 7-6 (4), 6-0, to advance to the final. Coming into the match, Schnyder and Dementieva had split their twelve career head-to-head meetings.

A little more than an hour after losing her semifinal singles match to Sharapova, Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze came back to team with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in a semifinal doubles match.