Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka: Three 2012 Major Winners Highlight Olympic Tennis Semifinals

Maria Sharapova (click pic to enlarge)

I hate to be brief when one of my favorites and an all-time great Kim Clijsters exits the Olympic stage in her next to last tournament of her career. But I am pressed for time, so I will say the rustiness of not being in match shape showed. When you play as infrequently as she has, no matter who you are, you will have more matches where you have single digit winners and over 20 errors. But nonetheless, Maria Sharapova deserves all the credit for the win. And speaking of Masha, the 2012 Roland Garros winner joins the 2012 Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka and 2012 Wimbledon winner Serena Williams in the 2012 Olympic semifinals. Rounding out semis is Maria Kirilenko. With Sharapova taking on Kirilenko in one semi, Russia is guaranteed a spot in the final and thus no worse than a silver medal in these games. But knowing the fire these ladies play with, nothing shines like gold.

Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (7) Angelique Kerber (GER) 64 75
(3) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Kim Clijsters (BEL) 62 75
(4) Serena Williams (USA) d. (8) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 60 63
(14) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. (6) Petra Kvitova (CZE) 76(3) 63