Maria Sharapova beat Anna Chakvetadze 7-6 7-5 in the quarter finals in the Australian Open. The match lasted 133 minutes.
The first set started with the first five games on serve. The top seed was broken then and the next there games were also brakes. Maria then held serve to even the set at 5-5. The two players both held serve to force a tiebreaker. Sharapova won the first point in the tie breaker but Chakvetadze won the next two points. The two time grand slam winner then won the next points. Anna then tied the tiebreaker at 3. The next two points where split between players. Maria went on to take three of the four point to win the tiebreaker and set 7-6. The first set lasted 59 minutes.
The second set started with the top seed taking the first two points but then was broken. The 12 seed held serve to even the set at 2. The next three games were on serve. Sharapova then got a break to go up 5-3. Chakvetadze then got a break to sat in the match. Anna then held serve to even the set at 5. Maria won the next two game to take the match. The second set lasted 74 minutes.
“I was a little up and down, a bit scratchy,” Sharapova said. “I am glad I got through, but next time will even be tougher.”
Maria will play the winner of Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters in the semis.