The China Open is already over and I was just liking those pretty court names (like Moon Court, Diamond Court and Lotus Court)!
Anyway, let's discuss the semifinals first. They were both very similar with a hard-fought first set and pure dominance of one player in the second set.
Na Li met Sharapova in the downdraw semifinal. The Chinese was definitely the crowd's favorite and that resulted in some unsporty behavior like cheering when Sharapova made a double fault or calling out so the Russian stopped playing when the ball was surely in.
The first set definitely was a thriller, lasting over an hour with many long games (though the points were generally quite short). Na Li was the first to break serve and get a 3-1 lead. Sharapova took the next 3 games and even forced a breakpoint for a 5-3 lead but Na Li put things straight and leveled at 4-4. Sharapova proved herself more equipped against the pressure and took the first set: 6-4.
In the second set, Na Li lost her intensity and concentration and Sharapova steamrolled ahead to: 6-0. The Chinese crowd wasn't so happy but I'm surely excited to see the Russian in another final again!
Bartoli had to take on the number one Azarenka in the semifinal that followed. The first set was very equal and both players held serve until 5-4. Then the number one striked on the right time to pressure Bartoli in a double fault (seems to be happening a lot here at the China Open!) to win the first set: 6-4. The French woman definitely had the spirit to fight back but Azarenka just wouldn't let her back into the match and took the second set: 6-2.
And so folks, we've got another number one - number two duel needing some earplugs, it's Azarenka vs. Sharapova in the China Open final!
And yet again it was kind of an anticlimax. Azarenka rushed to a 5-0 lead in the first set with Sharapova trying to climb back but getting stuck with a: 6-3 score. Just too many unforced errors and Sharapova usually can pull it off nevertheless against almost any player but definitely NOT Azarenka!
The second set was even more disappointing with Sharapova losing grip again quite soon and preventing a bagel just at the last minute. Azarenka served her way to the China Open cup (which is HUGE! by the way, might want to order an extra seat on the plane for it!) in two sets: 6-3, 6-1. Mascots are adorable by the way, we don't expect less from those Chinese!
Keep posted for the Kremlin Cup starting next week!
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