Sharapova's perfect start to the year came to a shuddering halt when she lost 6-3 5-7 6-2 to fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Pacific Life Open semi-finals on Friday.
Australian Open champion Sharapova, who had won her first 18 matches of the season, was outplayed when it counted by the second seed in a fluctuating match lasting two hours, 19 minutes.
"There were a couple of important points that could have changed the match and she ended up winning them," Sharapova, 20, told reporters. "I think from that she gained confidence and kind of steamrolled after that in the third set.
"She's a very tough, tough player. She's not No. 2 or 3 in the world for nothing. I give her a lot of respect for her consistency, what she's able to do on the court, how strong she is and how many balls she gets back."
World number three Kuznetsova, who lost to Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova in last year's final at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, was delighted to beat Sharapova for the first time since Miami in 2006. She will face top-seeded Ana Ivanovic in Sunday's final, the Serb having beaten compatriot Jelena Jankovic 7-6 6-3 later on Friday.
March 22nd, 2008
Posted by: Marco
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