Kvitova and Sharapova progress
January 25, 2012 14:18:19 UK
Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova set up an Australian Open semi-final meeting as they reached the last four with straight sets victories.
Sharapova enjoyed a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win over fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, while Wimbledon champion Kvitova was pushed hard in a 6-4 6-4 success over Sara Errani, recovering from a 4-1 deficit in the second set.
Kvitova is 1.70 to reach the final in Melbourne, while Sharapova is 2.25 to end the Czech's hopes and reach her third Australian final.
Sharapova believes that Kvitova has the edge going into the last-four showdown, saying: "I lost to her the last couple of times I played her.
"She's the one to beat, she's full of confidence and she's playing the best on tour."
The other semi-final sees defending champion Kim Clijsters take on Victoria Azarenka, with the Belgian 2.05 to come out on top, while Azarenka is 1.83 to reach the final.
Both Azarenka and Sharapova need to win the tournament to take over at the top of the world rankings, while Kvitova will become number one if she is crowned champion or loses to Clijsters in the final.
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