Pennetta stuns Sharapova

Flavia Pennetta defeated Maria Sharapova at the LA Championships and will play Samantha Stosur in the final.

Stosur awaits Italian in the final of Los Angeles event

Flavia Pennetta claimed a three-set victory over Maria Sharapova in the semi-final of the LA Championships. Pennetta, the 10th seed from Italy, triumphed 6-2 4-6 6-3 against former world number one Sharapova, who was playing in her sixth tournament since returning to the WTA Tour following a long-term shoulder injury. The Russian produced an error-strewn display, including 16 double faults and 61 unforced errors, and squandered a 3-1 lead in the decider with a litany of mistakes. "I didn't feel fresh," admitted Sharapova, who was playing her eighth match in 12 days. "I was surprised it went to the third and I had my opportunities, but I couldn't close it out." Pennetta will meet Australia's Samantha Stosur in the final after the 13th seed overwhelmed Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-2 in the other semi-final. In reaching her first final of the year, Stosur fired down seven aces and won 85 percent of her first serve points. Cirstea had suffered a right foot injury in her upset win over Agnieszka Radwanska in the last eight and never looked comfortable, committing 25 unforced errors.