Sharapova Outlasts Vandeweghe for Spot in Wimbledon Semis
Maria Sharapova needed three sets to move past upstart American Coco Vandeweghe, holding on for the 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory to reach the Wimbledon semifinals on Tuesday. Sharapova will play world number one Serena Williams in the semifinals.
Sharapova seemed to be on her way to a comfortable straight set win, leading 6-3, 5-3 and serving for the match. But the unseeded Vandeweghe hung tough, and broke Sharapova to stay in the match.
After forcing a tie-breaker, Vandeweghe won four straight points at 3-3 to take the tiebreaker and force a deciding third set.
But the American’s momentum was quickly squashed, as the fourth-seeded Russian broke serve in the second game, and after consolidating it with a hold, led 3-0.
Vandeweghe would break back, but was then immediately broken again, and that is when Sharapova shut the door. She served out the match to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2011.
“I’ve played five matches already, I’ve faced different challenges, matches, opponents, circumstances—the first four matches I was playing quite well and got the job done in two sets,” said Sharapova. “Today, serving for the second set, I could have made it easier. It went to a third but I still got the job done. I have to be pleased with that, that I’m in the semifinals again after so many years.”
