Maria Sharapova through to semi-finals in Stuttgart
Monday 1 May 2017 14:29, UK
Maria Sharapova is through to the semi-finals of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart after a 6-3 6-4 win over Anett Kontaveit.
And the 30-year-old needs just one more win in Germany to book her place in French Open qualifying.
Sharapova is yet to drop a set in Stuttgart following her return from a 15-month doping ban and the ranking points she has collected mean she is already close to rejoining the top 250 on Monday.
And victory in her semi-final on Saturday would guarantee a spot in the top 200, which would be enough to earn her entry into the qualifying tournament at Roland Garros without the need for a wild card.
The French Tennis Federation will announce whether the two-time French Open champion has been awarded a wild card into the main draw on May 16.
After an understandably shaky start in her first match against Roberta Vinci, Sharapova has looked more and more like her old self this week.
Estonian qualifier Kontaveit, ranked 73 in the world, knocked out reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza in the second round but found Sharapova a tougher proposition.
Kontaveit was not afraid to go toe to toe with the five-time Grand Slam champion but, having led 3-2, she lost
five straight games as the Russian unleashed a barrage of powerful hitting.
Sharapova then took control of the second set early on and, although Kontaveit threatened a comeback, ultimately she could not get back on terms.
After breaking when Sharapova served for the match, Kontaveit had the chance to level, but Sharapova stepped up her game once more and took her first match point with a thumping return.
"I thought I had a really good rhythm," said Sharapova after the match.
"When you don't know your opponent too well, the first six games we were trying to figure each other out.
"When I got the opportunity I felt I really rolled with it, and gained confidence from it."
Sharapova has returned in such good form that a third French Open title is far from impossible.
Roger Federer claimed a remarkable Australian Open title earlier this year after six months out due to injury and Sharapova added: "What he's done is amazing and obviously you want to follow in his footsteps.
"I would love to have the type of comeback he's had."
World No 5 Simona Halep proved far too strong for Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia, taking just under an hour to record a convincing 6-3 6-1 victory, while wild card Laura Siegemund beat Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-3.
At the Istanbul Cup in Turkey, number three seed Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania battled past home player Basak Eraydin 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to make the semi-finals.
Top seed Elina Svitolina joined her with a 6-4 6-4 win over Sorana Cirstea of Romania, while there were also wins for Jana Cepelova who beat Dayana Yastremska 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, and Elise Mertens, who beat Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey 6-4 4-6 6-2.
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