Russia's Maria Sharapova plays a shot against Japan's Ai Sugiyama during their quarter-final match of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo Feb. 2, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TOKYO, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- World number one Maria Sharapova elbowed her way into the Pan Pacific Open tennis semifinals after a three-set win over Japanese Ai Sugiyama on Friday.

    The Russian hit 14 double faults before finally ousting Sugiyama 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.

    In the semi-finals Saturday, Sharapova will take on fifth seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, who downed her compatriot and fourth seed Jelena Jankovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

    The other semifinal pits Swiss former world number one Martina Hingis against defending champion Elena Dementieva of Russia.