World number three, Svetlana Kuznetsova, beats fellow Russian Maria
Sharapova, 6-3 5-7 6-2, in the semi-finals of the Pacific Life Open at Indian
Wells.

SHOWS: INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, USA (MARCH 21, 2008) (EUROSPORT) -

Maria Sharapova's perfect start to the year came to a shuddering
halt when she lost 6-3 5-7 6-2 to fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the
Pacific Life Open semi-finals in Indian Wells, California, United States on
Friday (March 21).
    Australian Open champion Sharapova, who had won her first 18 matches of
the season, was outplayed by her compatriot in a fluctuating match lasting two
hours, 19 minutes.
    Kuznetsova, seeded second in the tournament, made the most of a scrappy
display by her opponent to sweep through the first set in 46 minutes,
Sharapova double-faulting five times and making 20 unforced errors.
    After service breaks were traded in the second and seventh games of the
second set, Sharapova, the fouth seed, levelled the match when Kuznetsova
double-faulted at 30-40 to be broken in the 12th game.
    However, the 2004 U.S. Open champion piled on the pressure in the final
set, breaking Sharapova in the first game and again in the fifth with a superb
forehand winner down the line.
    The 22-year-old Kuznetsova calmly booked her place in the final by
serving out to love in the eighth game, a protracted last rally ending when
Sharapova's speculative lop landed long.
    It was Kuznetsova's fourth victory over Sharapova in eight career
meetings.
    Top-seeded Ana Ivanovic beat fellow Serb third seed Jelena Jankovic 7-6
6-3 for the other spot in Sunday's (March 23) final.