Sharapova shows steel again

Maria Sharapova last night maintained her remarkable record in deciding sets to defeat Marion Bartoli and reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time since winning the title six years ago.

Not since her third-round loss to Flavia Pennetta here 12 months ago has Sharapova lost a three-set match, winning 12 out of 12 this season.

She was pushed to the limit by Bartoli, however, who had led 4-0 before rain forced the match to be postponed on Tuesday, but eventually came through 3-6 6-3 6-4 to set up a meeting with world number one Victoria Azarenka.

Rain had come to Sharapova’s aid in her fourth-round match against Nadia Petrova when she had looked in trouble early in the deciding set, and the Russian certainly would not have been disappointed by the abrupt halt.

Bartoli had completely outplayed her rival for four games but the question was whether she would be able to maintain it.

The initial signs were not good for the Frenchwoman as Sharapova won the first two games on the resumption, which was again twice delayed by more heavy showers.

But Bartoli held on to her advantage from there and served out the set.

It was the first set Bartoli (11th seed) had won against the Russian in five matches, although this was only their second meeting in five years.

Both players were struggling on serve and, after exchanging breaks at the start of the second set, their combined tally of double faults was up to 12, seven of them to Sharapova.

The Russian came under severe pressure again in the third game of the set but saved four break points, and it was a key moment as she gradually began to take control.

The third seed broke again to lead 5-3 with a forehand winner drilled down the line and levelled the match with her fifth ace.

Sharapova broke the Bartoli serve to lead 2-1 in the decider only for the Frenchwoman to hit back.

Sharapova then struck a major blow in the ninth game with another break, leaving her serving for a place in the last four.

And she did not falter, keeping alive her hopes of a second grand slam title of the year after winning the French Open in June.

In the men’s singles, defending champion Novak Djokovic finally made it through to the quarter-finals after Stanislas Wawrinka retired in the third set of their match.

Djokovic was tested early in the first set but after that it was a one-sided contest and Wawrinka called it a day with the Serb leading 6-4 6-1 3-1.

In last night’s other fourth round match, Andy Roddick’s career looked to be over after he was beaten by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro.

The former US Open champion and World number one went down 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-4.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will not need surgery and could be back on the practice court in a month’s time, according to his doctor.