Sharapova into Italian Open semi-finals after epic Ostapenko win

Rome: Maria Sharapova won a battle of French Open champions, taking more than three hours to get past Jelena Ostapenko 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-5 on Friday and reach the Italian Open semi-finals.

Russia´s five-time Grand Slam winner defeated the reigning Roland Garros holder to leave Ostapenko with only Rome and Stuttgart quarter-finals prior to the start of her title defence in Paris.