MIAMI: Serena Williams and Li Na swept past familiar foes at the Sony Open setting up an exciting showdown for the Miami hardcourt crown between the world’s top ranked players.
World number one Williams continued her utter domination of Maria Sharapova with a 6-4 6-3 win over the fourth-seeded Russian, while second-ranked Li won a rematch of her Australian Open final, beating Dominika Cibulkova 7-5 2-6 6-3 to maintain her perfect record against the Slovakian.
A six-time Miami champion, the American’s victory ran her winning streak against Sharapova to 15 matches, a stunning run that stretches back to 2004.
Li’s mastery over Cibulkova may not span as many years but is no less complete, the Chinese veteran sweeping all seven of their meetings over a decade-long span.
Three of those wins have come this year, with Asia’s first grand slam singles champion defeating the Slovakian in straight sets at Melbourne Park, in three sets at Indian Wells two weeks ago and now at Miami.
The 10th seeded Cibulkova had looked ready to deny tennis fans a marquee final between the best two players in the world when she stormed back to take the second set and opened the third with a break to forge a 3-1 lead.
However, Li kept her composure and swept the next five games to cap an enthralling fightback and her spot in the final.
Sharapova and Williams, who have both achieved a career grand slam and held the number one ranking, were expected to develop into one of the great rivalries in women’s tennis.
But it has not quite worked out that way with Williams winning 16 of the 18 meetings between the pair.
In Sharapova’s 16 losses, the Russian has only managed to take two sets off the 17-times grand slam winner.
Djokovic into final after injury to Kei Nishikori
World number two Novak Djokovic is through to the Sony Open final in Miami after Kei Nishikori withdrew from their semi-final with a groin injury.
Nishikori, who beat Roger Federer in the quarter-finals, said: “Very sorry to say that I have to pull out.
Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal or Tomas Berdych in Sunday’s final. (Agencies)
