No problems for Sharapova in LA
Top seeded Maria Sharapova set up a East West Bank Classic semi-final meeting with compatriot Nadia Petrova after posting a 6-3 6-4 triumph over fellow Russian Elena Dementieva.
The fourth seeded Petrova overcame a slow start to record a 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-1 victory over Italian Virginie Razzano.
Unseeded Russian Maria Kirilenko was unable to advance, however, as she suffered a 6-4 6-4 defeat by third seeded French Open finalist Ana Ivanovic of Serbia.
A winner at San Diego last week, Sharapova is showing signs of returning to the form that allowed her to capture his second career Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open last year.
Throughout her brief career, the 20-year-old has had very little trouble with the ninth-seeded Dementieva. Sharapova has won six of the last seven meetings, including a 6-1 6-2 rout in the final of Indian Wells in 2006.
Ivanovic will face second seed Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals after last year's finalist, who is seeking her fifth title of the year, dispatched Belarus teenager Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 in a hard-fought battle.
