Maria Sharapova vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova in Cincinnati Open

Maria Sharapova will continue her Western and Southern Open campaign with a third round clash against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Maria Sharapova is currently the world No. 7, and she’s in search of her second WTA title for 2011 here at the Western and Southern Open. The Russian made a terrific start on Tuesday by battering Anastasia Rodionova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3, and given her recent form it looks like the Russian is in with a good chance of reaching the latter stages.

Sharapova’s next matchup will be against world No. 13 Svetlana Kuznetsova. Kuznetsova is yet to win any WTA events this year, but her 25-15 match record for 2011 marks her out as a potential dark horse. She managed to work her way into the third round this week by clinching a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win against a determined Petra Cetkovska.

Tonight’s clash promises to be a thriller, and it should be noted that Sharapova has a 5-4 head to head record against her compatriot. These two players have been involved in some close battles in the past, and we could be about to witness another engaging encounter here in Cincinnati.