Two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova produced a clinical performance to end defending champion Maria Sharapova's reign at the Madrid Open with a straight sets win in their semifinal tie on Friday.
The Russian claimed a surprisingly comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over World Number three Sharapova to set a final clash against Petra Kvitova, who breezed past world number one Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 in the other semifinal contest.
After the defeat, Sharapova said that Kuznetsova had more pop on her ball than she did and that her shots were a bit too flat, the BBC reported. After the victory Kuznetsova admitted she was just happy to be in the finals.