Maria Sharapova has overpowered fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3 6-3 to advance to the Pan Pacific Open semi-finals.
Second seed Sharapova, beaten by Serena Williams in the Australian Open semi-finals last week, was never seriously tested in a one-sided match on Tokyo's indoor carpet.
The 17-year-old repeatedly punished Likhovtseva's weak serve and closed out the match with a ferocious backhand pass after 64 minutes.
Sharapova will play Japan's Shinobu Asagoe on Saturday.
February 4th, 2005
Posted by: Marco
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