June 01, 2011
Maria Sharapova kept herself in contention for the French Open crown by scratching out a fourth-round victory against Polish No.12 seed Agnieszka Radwanska.
The seventh seed recovered from 4-1 down in the first set and fought off five set points in the second to win 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.
In the quarter-finals, she will play Germany's Andrea Petkovic, who survived a tough test to beat another Russian, Maria Kirilienko, 6-2 2-6 6-4.
Petkovic won her fourth-round match against Sharapova at the Australian Open in January and has been rewarded for an outstanding season by soaring to the world's No.12.
Sharapova won their most recent meeting, a three-setter in the Miami semi-finals.
"She's a very tough opponent. She is also quite good on this surface and moves very well. She'll use that to her advantage," Sharapova said.
But the former world No.1 said her recent form on clay, including the Italian Open title in the lead-up to Roland Garros, had her feeling good on a surface on which she once struggled.
Victoria Azarenka, the highest remaining women's seed at No.4, continued her stealthy progress.
She is yet to drop a set after beating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-2 6-3 to secure a clash with Li Na.
Li beat Azarenka in the fourth round at the Australian Open during her run to the final, which she lost to Kim Clijsters.
sustralia was a very good match from her," Azarenka said.
"It's going to be very different, plus a different surface.
But the mental side is going to be the key to play because she's very strong.
You can never see emotions from her.
"I'm really looking forward to taking the challenge and taking revenge from Australia."
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