Sharapova in Finals, Roddick Falls

The 2010 final is set for the Cellular South Cup. Maria Sharapova, the No. 1 seed, took care of Petra Kvitova, the No.5 seed, on Friday night, dismissing the young Czech, 64 63. Sharapova, a former world No.1 and making her second appearance in Memphis, has reached her first final here and first for 2010. Maria now sets her sights on Sofia Arvidsson, the 2006 Cellular South Cup champion. The two previously met back in 2003 when they played indoors in Luxembourg with Sharapova taking the match, 61 76(4).

Arvidsson of Sweden was able to power her way into the final for the second time here in Memphis when she took out Anne Keothavong of Great Britain, 64 46 64. The 2:19-long battle saw both players exchange fierce rallies as they fought to make the final. Arvidsson, who played herself into the main draw through qualies, will now be playing her seventh match this week.

The men’s semifinals are set for Saturday afternoon at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. The No. 8 seed, Sam Querrey, reserved his spot in the final four by taking out No.1 seed and defending champion Andy Roddick on Friday night. The laid-back Californian survived the slugfest of big servers, besting the veteran American, 75 36 61. The pair boomed a combined 27 aces on the night.

In a late afternoon match-up, a scrappy Ernests Gulbis of Latvia got by No.5 seed Tomas Berdych. The pair split the first two sets; in the third Berdych had a chance to serve for the match at 5-3, but Gulbis was able to break him – while twice being treated for a knee injury - to tie the score at 5-5. Both players then held to force a tie-break. Gulbis was able to pull ahead in the tie-break and close out the match, 63 36 76(3).

In other men’s quarterfinal action on Stadium Court, American John Isner took only two sets to get by Ivo Karlovic of Croatia. Taking the first set by a commanding 6-1 score, the second set proved to be much tougher for Isner. In another battle of big servers the duo fought its way into a tie-break where Isner prevailed, 61 76(7). The match between these two giants, Isner 6’9” and Karlovic 6’10”, was the tallest quarterfinal in ATP history.

Rounding out the semifinalists is Philipp Petzschner of Germany. With a unique match score for men’s tennis Petzschner beat out Lukas Lacko 61 16 61, and advanced on to take on Isner.