Sharapova, 30, came back to the tour in April following a 15-month ban for taking the banned drug meldonium.

The Russian beat defending champion Peng in 78 minutes and maintained her record of not dropping a set this week.

She will play 19-year-old world number 102 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who beat Italy’s Sara Errani 6-1 6-3.

Sharapova, ranked 86th in the world, made the last 16 at the US Open in September and also reached the last 16 in Beijing last week, before losing to world number one Simona Halep.

It is her first final since May 2015, when she won the Italian Open.

In June the following year she received a two-year ban for a prohibited substance but in October 2016 that was reduced to 15 months after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

She lost to Peng in China in 2009 but that remains her only defeat in seven meetings with the third seed and world number 25.

Sharapova will now face Sabalenka for the first time after the teenager fired 10 aces in a 58-minute straight-sets victory over Errani, winner of nine WTA titles.

Sabalenka seized her chances in clinical fashion against the 30-year-old world number 280, claiming a 100% record on break point opportunities.

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Source: BBC

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Sharapova beat Anett Kontaveit 6-4 6-3 to set up a last-four match with Mladenovic at the Stuttgart Open.

This is one of three events for which the Russian has been given wildcard entries after returning from her ban for testing positive for meldonium.

“I understand tournaments want her in the draw,” said Mladenovic.

“She is very famous and they want more attention, which is part of the business.

“On the other hand, you can ask if it is fair to get a wildcard. It’s a fact that she was caught by anti-doping, but she wasn’t the first one.

“Others have also had the right to come back and play tennis, but with a different road – they wouldn’t get invitations to tournaments.

“Of course, she is authorised to play tennis again, but why would she get that extra help compared to other players?”

‘I let my tennis do the talking’

When asked whether Mladenovic’s comments would motivate her in their encounter, Sharapova replied: “Not at all”.

She added: “I am not someone that uses it as part of my comeback. I have let my tennis do the talking.

“My results have spoken for everything that needs to be said. The biggest part of my comeback is what happens on court.”

Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova’s world ranking points expired during her suspension.

But she is yet to drop a set in Germany and will earn an automatic place in qualifying at the French Open if she reaches the final in Stuttgart.

She has also been given wildcard entries for the upcoming events in Madrid and Rome.

The former world number one was called “a cheat” by 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard on Thursday.

Sharapova said she was “way above” replying to criticism of her comeback by her rivals.

Sharapova eases into Stuttgart semis

Sharapova continued her fine form following her return with a straight sets victory over Estonian qualifier Kontaveit to reach the last four in Stuttgart.

The 30-year-old broke twice in the first set, and dug deep in the second to take victory in one hour 23 minutes.

“I served quite well, which gave me confidence. I’m happy,” said Sharapova.

“I kept myself in good shape, because once you lose it, it’s hard to get it back.”

Mladenovic booked her place in the last four with a 6-3 6-2 win over Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3 6-2 on Friday.

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Source: BBC

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Russian Sharapova beat Roberta Vinci on Wednesday at the Stuttgart Open on her return from a 15-month doping ban.

In October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Sharapova was not an “intentional doper”.

However, Canadian Bouchard said: “She’s a cheater and I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again.”

Bouchard, 23, now ranked 59th in the world, told TRT World: “I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids: cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms.

“I don’t think that’s right and she’s not someone I can say I look up to any more.

“It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it in the right way and are true.”

Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova, who was suspended in March 2016 after testing positive for meldonium, was given a wildcard for the tournament.

The 30-year-old has also received wildcards for the tournaments in Madrid and Rome and will find out if she has been given one for the French Open on 16 May – 12 days before the competition.

That decision has been defended by WTA chief Steve Simon, who said it was in keeping with how former dopers were treated in other sports.

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Source: BBC

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“It helps, it may not be totally the solution but it is definitely a step in the right direction that an early congress will sort of cut down on animosities and any form of attacks on potential candidates,”said Dr. Amoako Tuffour.

Some people have emphasized the need to hold the NPP congress early beyond the constitutional requirements as this will help address the problems of infighting which comes about as candidates travel across the country and other parts of the world to canvass for votes.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr Tuffour supported the claim and further advised the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to take that idea into consideration.

In another development, the NEC  is expected to reconvene another meeting during which the exact date to open nominations and  hold congress will be determined.

The NPP earlier held a meeting to draw a timetable for the party’s flagbearer slot and set a date for the party’s nominations.

The Commitee did not however arrive at an exact date at which the party’s nominations will be carried out.

Information reaching Citi News indicates that a date in June is likely to be picked for the nominations.

In an interview with Citi News, the National Chairman of the party, Paul Afoko said “we went to NEC and we took a proposal from the steering committee of a suggested timetable but we haven’t firmed it up yet.We will firm it up next week then we can confidently tell you the date we are going to hold our flagbearer contest.

He explained that the party has to constitute the National Council before it can proceed with its decision.

“We have a few steps to take and one of the steps that we have to take, is to constitute our national council because outside of congress, the highest decision making body of the party is the national council.

“If the National council is not in place to give the go ahead then whatever we do can actually be challenged so we need to take very deliberate steps to ensure that whatever we do we are on the right side of the law,” Mr. Afoko explained.

Click on audio to listen to Dr. Amoako Tuffour

By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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