Azarenka, Sharapova reach China Open semi-finals
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Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns a shot during her quarter-final round women's singles match against Romina Oprandi of Switzerland at the China Open tennis tournament in the National Tennis Center of Beijing on Oct 5, 2012. Azarenka went on to win 6-2, 6-0. -- PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING (AP) - Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka and No. 2 Maria Sharapova advanced to the China Open semi-finals on Friday.
Azarenka defeated Romina Oprandi of Switzerland 6-2, 6-0, and Sharapova beat sixth-seeded Angelique Kerber when the German retired with a right foot injury while trailing 6-0, 3-0.
"I thought we played a high level of tennis the first set and a half, and even though the scoreline was 6-0, 3-0, there were many games that went to deuce," Sharapova said. "She had a few break points and long games on her serve.
"I actually didn't see much of her injury. I was surprised she called the trainer and even more so when she retired quickly after that."
