Sharapova joins Stosur in Rome final

ROME: Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova will play Australia’s Samantha Stosur in the Rome International final after their semi-final victories on Saturday.Seventh seed Sharapova defeated world number one Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 in a match littered with service breaks. Earlier Stosur had steam-rollered China’s Li Na 7-6 (8/6), 6-0. Sharapova has won their seven previous encounters, dropping only two sets in the process, but has never been entirely comfortable on clay while Stosur says it is her favourite surface. “It’s the first time I’m playing her on clay and her best results have been on clay,” said Sharapova. – Brecorder