Bertens reaches semi-final at the expense of Sharapova

Kiki Bertens has reached the semi-final at a Premier Mandatory tournament for the first time in her career. The player from Wateringen defeated Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinal in Madrid with 4-6 6-2 6-3.

Bertens reached the quarterfinal by convincingly beating the world’s number two Caroline Wozniacki in the third round (6-2 6-2). The world’s number 20 was in good form.

Sharapova started the opening set with a break. Bertens came back to 4-5 but lost her service game and thus the set.

Coach Raemon Sluiter gave his pupil some tips after the first set and his tactics worked. Bertens improved during the second set and won with 6-2. Bertens won the third set with 6-3.

Bertens will play against Caroline Garcia in the semi-final. The French seventh seed defeated Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro with 6-2 6-3.