Russian second seed Maria Sharapova has reached the semifinal round of the Nasdaq-100 Open men's and women's tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Sharapova prevailed, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2 Tuesday after a gallant comeback by Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium. Sharapova failed to convert three match points in the second set. The Wimbledon champion closed out the victory an hour later.
Advancing to the men's quarterfinals was six-time Key Biscayne winner Andre Agassi. He beat French Open champion Gaston Gaudio, 7-6, 6-2.
Two Spaniards advanced to the men's quarterfinals. Rafael Nadal beat 13th-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Unseeded David Ferrer rallied past countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5. Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia eliminated Gael Monfils of France, 6-3, 6-3.