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Pennetta stuns Sharapova

Image: Pennetta: ended Sharapova's run

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

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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.