• China Open

Azarenka and Sharapova power into China Open final

ESPN staff
October 6, 2012
Maria Sharapova rolled over Li Na in the second set © Getty Images
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The world No. 1 and No. 2 will clash in the final of the China Open after Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova negotiated their way past tricky semi-finals.

The No. 2 seed Sharapova was first on court and she had Li Na and a passionate Beijing crowd to contend with.

Li matched Sharapova blow for blow in the first set. Breaks of serve were traded before a decisive one came the Russian's way in the 10th game.

Surrendering the first set deflated Li who was broken on three occasions as Sharapova wrapped up a 6-4 6-0 win.

Sharapova will face Azarenka in the final after the world No. 1 overcame the gritty competitor that is Marion Bartoli.

There was little between the pair in the opening set, but Azarenka took aim at the Bartoli second serve and it proved decisive as she broke on two occasions.

Breaks were traded in the second set, but Bartoli simply could not fend off Azarenka when missing her first serve. She won just 20% of points behind her own second serve and it cost her dear - as Azarenka broke on four occasions in a 6-4 6-2 win.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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