Maria Shar-apova used a big first serve to reach the final of the Acura Classic by defeating Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-2 setting up a clash with Patty Schnyder.

Sharapova snapped her fellow Russian’s 12-match winning streak. Chakvetadze, yet to beat Sharapova in five meetings, won two straight WTA tournaments, at Cincinnati and Stanford.

This is the third championship this season for Sharapova, who has not won a title since October.

Chakvetadze pressured Sharapova in the first set with numerous long rallies, but Sharapova gave away little on her serve Chakvetadze had just one break point in the first set, which she didn’t convert.

Sharapova has lost just 15 games in four matches. Sharapova had 26 winners to just five for Chakvetadze.
Chakvetadze, winner of four titles this year, lost for only the third time in 26 matches since May. Two of them have come against Sharapova. The No 11 seed Schnyder of Switzerland defeated the more favoured Elena Dementieva 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Robredo victorious

At Sopot, top seed Tommy Robredo of Spain beat Argentina's Jose Acasuso 7-5, 6-0 to win the Polish Open title on Sunday for the second time, adds Reuters.

The 25-year-old outclassed the unseeded Acasuso, the 2002 champion, in 82 minutes with his well-placed shots and potent forehand at the northern seaside resort.

The 24-year-old Acasuso, who responded with power at the expense of accuracy in the claycourt clash, was destroyed in the second set as he lost his composure under pressure.

"For me it was a gruelling tournament, but I managed to win and that makes me very happy," a beaming Robredo said.

Roddick, Isner win

Top-seeded Andy Roddick and amazing newcomer John Isner booked an all-American final at the ATP Washington Classic with tension-filled triumphs in which each set was decided by tie-breakers, adds AFP from Washington.
Fifth-ranked Roddick fired 12 aces and a crucial backhand winner on the penultimate point to defeat big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5), giving the US star a chance to play for his 23rd career title.

Isner, who made his ATP debut a month ago, continued his astonishing streak of winning every match this week in a third-set tie-breaker, doing so for the fifth time to oust Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-2).
“Any one win would be successful, let alone five,” Isner said. “I don’t know how I’ve done it. I would take that again, that’s for sure.”

Roddick will meet the 22-year-old in the first all-US ATP final since Roddick played James Blake last year at Indianapolis.