Sharapova Outlasts Schnyder to Advance to Final

That big sigh of relief that could be heard coming from the Acura Classic was second-seeded Maria Sharapova of Russia, as she held off fifth-seeded Patty Schnyder, 7-5, 6-4, in an Acura Classic semifinal match on Stadium Court.

On a brilliant sunny and breezy day at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Sharapova advanced to Sunday’s championship final where she will meet the winner of Saturday night’s semifinal between top-seeded Kim Clijsters and seventh-seeded Nicole Vaidisova.

After winning the first set in 43 minutes, Sharapova broke Schnyder’s serve to open the second set. One of the defining games of the match took place in the second game as Sharapova and Schnyder played a 24 point game.

Sharapova, who offset 38 unforced errors with 31 winners in the match, fended off five break points and on the fifth game point, finally held serve to take a 2-0 lead.

“The best thing I did in that game was serve. She missed three backhand returns on break points,” Sharapova said. “I think I served smart. She was guessing. She didn’t quite know where I was going to serve.”

Schnyder held serve to cut the lead to 2-1, but Sharapova won the next three games to increase her lead to 5-1.

After Schnyder held serve by firing an ace on game point, Sharapova served for the match at 5-2. It seemed like the match was as good as over as Sharapova had not lost serve all afternoon.
That was until Sharapova missed three forehands to fall behind 0-40. The 19-year-old Russian won the next two points to get to 30-40, but Schnyder secured her only service break of the match when she hit a forehand down the line winner.

Schnyder, who had only 13 unforced errors in the match, easily held in the next game as she hit a service winner on game point to make the score 5-4 in Sharapova’s favor.

Serving for the match a second time, Sharapova began the game by hitting a backhand error. She recovered and moments later reached her first match point.

• Sharapova advances to Sunday’s championship final against the winner of the Kim Clijsters / Nicole Vaidisova match.
• Sharapova has not lost a set this week in reaching the championship final.
• Sharapova is ranked number four in the world.
• Sharapova improves to 3-1 in career head-to-head meetings with Schnyder.
• Sharapova improves her 2003 match record to 36-7.
• Sharapova is making her second career Acura Classic appearance. She reached the quarterfinals in 2004.
• Sharapova will be playing for her 12 career tour singles title.
• Schnyder is ranked number eight in the world.
• Schnyder’s 2006 match record is now 33-16.
• Schnyder was making her fourth career Acura Classic appearance.

Click Here for more Match Summaries.