Sharapova advances

CARSON, California – Maria Sharapova overcame problems with her new service motion to outlast Urszula Radwanska on Friday and book a place in the semifinals of the L.A. Women’s Tennis Championships.

Sharapova beat the eighth-seeded Pole, 6-4, 7-5, to set up a semi against either second-seeded Russian compatriot Vera Zvonareva or tenth-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy, who were to play later Friday.

In other quarterfinals, 13th-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur beat China’s Zheng Jie, seeded 14th, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Stosur’s semifinal opponent will be Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.             (AP)