Sharapova and Pavlyuchenkova reach Open GDF semis

Paris: Top-seeded Maria Sharapova thrashed eighth-seeded Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-2, 6-2 on Friday to set up an all-Russian semifinal against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Open Gaz de France.

Although Sharapova dropped her serve once, the four-time Grand Slam champion broke Flipkens' serve five times to win in little more than an hour.

In a more tightly-contested match, Pavlyuchenkova upset fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (3). Both had seven aces and also dropped serve four times each.

In Friday's later quarterfinals, No. 3 Sara Errani of Italy takes on Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, and Andrea Petkovic of Germany plays France's Alize Cornet.