Sharapova advances to US Open semi-final

NEW YORK: Maria Sharapova advanced to a grudge-match US Open semi-final against top seed Victoria Azarenka .

Russian third seed Sharapova reached the semi-finals for the first time since her 2006 US Open title run by rallying to defeat French 11th seed Marion Bartoli 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that began on Tuesday but was halted by rain.

Sharapova, who improved to 12-0 in three-set matches this year, faces a Friday showdown against World No. 1 Azarenka who beat Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in last January's Australian Open final.

Azarenka, who ousted defending champion Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday, leads the all-time rivalry with Sharapova 5-4, including a victory in March's Indian Wells final and a loss in April's Stuttgart final on clay.

Sharapova, 25, improved to 5-0 all-time against Bartoli but only after falling behind 4-0 on Tuesday before rain halted the match, postponing the conclusion for a day and giving the Russian time to regroup. (AFP)