Sharapova, Kvitova to contest Wimbledon final
Published:Thursday | June 30, 2011 | 5:44 PM
Former champion Maria Sharapova will play Petra Kvitova in Saturday's Wimbledon final.
The pair had contrasting semi-final victories today, Sharapova beating wild card Sabine Lisicki in straight sets after Kvitova had fought to a three-set victory over Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova will start the weekend showdown as the favourite to win a second Wimbledon crown after finally ending her wait to reach another final.
She had to overcome serving problems to ensure she returned to the final for the first time since her 2004 triumph as a 17-year-old.
The Russian posted a 6-4 6-3 win but a first-serve percentage of just 48 and a tally of 13 double faults was worrying for the fifth seed.
Czech Kvitova had progressed earlier with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Azarenka.
The men’s semi-finals will take place tomorrow. The first semi-final features Novak Djokovic against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while defending champion Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray face off in the second semi-final.