Maria cruises into Roma semi-finals

Maria easily advanced to the Italian Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over countrywoman Elena Bovina on Friday. Maria failed to reach the semis in six previous clay-court tournaments. "I'm really excited," Maria Sharapova said. "I'm playing better and better as the tournament goes on, although I know it's going to be a lot tougher in my next round."

"I think having a year to work -- I worked really hard physically -- is paying off," she said. "I feel a lot stronger on the clay, like I can play more matches in a row, and still feel good physically." She next faces eighth-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, who cruised past Evgenia Linetskaya 6-1, 6-0. Мария Шарапова