KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Tatiana Golovin, a native of Russia and a citizen of France, enjoys a home-court advantage in South Florida. And she is making the most of it at the Nasdaq-100 Open.
Golovin, 18, earned a berth in the semifinals by sweeping the last five games Wednesday to beat Zheng Jie 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Golovin was born in Moscow, and her family lives in Strasbourg, France. She began training part time in Florida at age 7, moved last fall to Miami and practiced over the winter at Key Biscayne with Andy Roddick's former coach, Tarik Benhabiles.
"It feels really nice to be driving your car to the courts, sleeping in your own bed, knowing everything around," she said. "I just know the courts so well, and I know the conditions and the wind."
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After a shaky start, Golovin looked right at home on the stadium court, breaking serve seven times in the final two sets.
Her opponent today will be No. 4 Maria Sharapova, who hit 26 winners to beat No. 10 Anastasia Myskina 6-3, 6-3.
Sharapova won her two previous matches against Golovin, both on grass.
No. 6 Ivan Ljubicic became the first men's semifinalist, beating unseeded Agustin Calleri 7-6 (4), 6-3. Ljubicic will play No. 3 David Nalbandian, who defeated No. 22 Mario Ancic 6-2, 6-2.
Tucson sidewinders
Individual game tickets for Tucson Sidewinders baseball games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday at Tucson Electric Park.
Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Sidewinders ticket office, by phone at 434-1021 or by clicking the tickets link at www.tucsonsidewinders.com.
Adult tickets range in price from $6 for general admission to $9 for box seats. Students, seniors and military can purchase seats for $5.
horse racing
Despite his undefeated record, Barbaro still has plenty to prove in the $1 million Florida Derby.
Barbaro was installed as the early 8-5 favorite in a field of 11 3-year-olds entered Wednesday, and drew an unfavorable No. 10 post in his final prep before the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
"I'm not crazy about the draw," trainer Michael Matz said, "but I think he has enough tactical speed that he will not get hung out too wide."
Barbaro last raced eight weeks ago, an unusually long layoff during the Derby prep season.
Flashy Bull was the second choice at 4-1 off his runner-up finish in the Fountain of Youth on March 4. Sharp Humor, winner of the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream on March 4, was the third choice at 5-1.
soccer
CHICAGO — Omar Bravo scored twice to lead Mexico to a 2-1 victory over Paraguay in a World Cup tuneup match Wednesday night at Soldier Field.
Bravo collected the ball on a cross from Israel Lopez, spun and shot into the lower left corner of the net for the deciding goal in the 82nd minute. His first goal — a penalty shot in the 31st minute — tied it at 1 when he easily beat keeper Derlis Gomez after being taken down by Pedro Benitez in the box.
