Sharapova continues impressive form
The Russian won the WTA Championships in 2004
Friday, 09, Nov 2007 10:26
Maria Sharapova thumped Ana Ivanovic 6-1 6-2 in her final round-robin match in the WTA Championships in Madrid.
The big-hitting Russian will clash with compatriot Anna Chakvetadze in the semi-finals while Ivanovic plays faces defending champion Justine Henin.
Meanwhile, Marion Bartoli won her final match of the championships after Jelena Jankovic retired unwell.
Jankovic, who lost the first set 6-1, was trailing 1-0 in the second set when she called for the doctor.
After a ten-minute break, the Serb quit citing breathing problems to hand Bartoli victory.
Both players were playing for pride as they were out of contention for the semi-finals.
World number three Jankovic, 22, said: "I've been sick for a couple of days and I'm having so much trouble breathing, I'm just suffering on the court and I can't play my game."
Frenchwoman Bartoli replaced the injured Serena Williams in the tournament.
The Wimbledon finalist was crushed 6-0 6-0 in her opening match against Henin but pockets nearly £500,000 from playing just two matches.
Bartoli said it had been the strangest week of her playing career.
"I played Justine who had had two matches already and my goal today was to play better, and I did, but I am sorry for Jelena to end like that," Bartoli said.
"My goal now is to play the WTA Championships again next year, in Doha."