Sharapova wins Russian showdown against Petrova

Day Nine at the Australian Open saw the quarter finals begin and included a showdown between Russian rivals Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova. Bitter enemies despite the hailing from the same country, the match proved to be a fiery encounter.

Both women were determined to secure themselves a semi final berth and this provided for a hard fought 71 minute first set. World number four Sharapova was forced to a tie break by world number nine Petrova, which Sharapova eventually claimed 7-6.

The Russian starlets continued to battle it out in the second set despite Sharapova taking a 4-1 lead at one stage of the match. However, Petrova failed to capitalize on many opportunities and Sharapova rallied to win the set and the match 7-6, 6-4. Her victory means that Sharapova is through to her second successive Australian Open semi final.

The Men’s quarter finals were kicked off by Frenchman Fabrice Santoro and David Nalbandian of Argentina. Santoro, the man they call the “Wizard” needed every trick in the book to keep up with number four seed Nalbandian.

The 33 year old, playing in his first Australian Open quarter final in his 17 year career, stuck with Nalbandian to force a tie break in the first set. Crowd favourite Santoro was gutsy but faltered at the last minute and the Argentinean took the set 7-5.

After a slow start, the world number six managed to break away from Santoro’s shackles to easily claim the second set 6-0. The Argentine sustained his brilliant play to take the third set 6-0.

After a promising start, unseeded Santoro was well and truly steamrolled by Nalbandian who will now face either Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic or Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

In the night matches, World number one Lindsay Davenport was knocked out of the Australian Open after succumbing to World number eight Justine Henin-Hardenne in their quarter final showdown. Henin Hardenne’s hopes of claiming the 2006 Australian Open remain alive after she clawed back from a one set deficit to win the match.

Davenport, who was believed to be battling an ankle injury, started well to take the opening game. She was clearly a step up from Henin-Hardenne’s previous opponents who included unseeded players such as Virginie Razzano and Virginia Ruano Pascual, whom the Belgian easily accounted for.

Davenport’s exciting form continued as she shot to a 4-1 lead in the first set. The American clearly was in control of the game and after 34 minutes, she took the first set 6-2.

In a remarkable comeback, Henin-Hardenne rallied to take a 5-1 lead in the second set. Surprising both the crowd and Davenport, the Belgian was now the one with control of the game. Her comeback clearly rattled Davenport who began to show her frustration by taking it out on her racquet. After saving the first set point she double faulted, allowing the number eight seed to take the second set 6-2.

The third and deciding set was a thriller with both players squandering prime opportunities to claim the set and match. In the end, Henin-Hardenne prevailed to take the set 6-3.

The Belgian winner now faces Russian glamour girl Maria Sharapova in the semi finals to determine who will secure a place in the Australian Open Final.

Crowd favourite Marcos Baghdatis also featured on Centre Court with his epic five set quarter final encounter with Ivan Ljubicic. After upsetting number two seed Andy Roddick, the Cypriot took some much needed confidence into the match. With both players competing in their first quarter final of their careers, the pressure was on with a semi final berth on the line.

Both players fought the first set out, enthralling the crowd. The first set went for 49 minutes and the honours eventually went to Baghdatis who won 6-4. The second set was just as tough as the first. Ljubicic drew first blood taking the first game of the second set. But with the crowd behind him, Baghdatis replied by winning the second set 6-2.

Just when the match appeared to be slipping away from Croatian Ljubicic, he regained his composure to take the third set 4-6 as well as the fourth 3-6.

After entertaining the crowd for four sets, the pair entered the fifth and deciding set. Baghdatis’ cheer squad were deafening as he took an early lead. But the Cypriot found it hard to shake off the number seven seed, who managed to claw his way back to make it 5-3. After a 38 minute fifth set, Baghdatis held on to take the set 6-3 as well as the match.

After a three hour epic battle, the popular Baghdatis has set himself up for a semi final encounter with David Nalbandian of Argentina.

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