Russian third seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA and ATP Miami Masters hardcourt tournament with a 7-5 7-5 victory over Italian eighth seed Sara Errani on Wednesday.

Sharapova fired six aces but made 14 double faults before saving a break point in the 10th game of the second set.

She then broke Errani in the penultimate game and held serve to end it on a forehand winner after just under two-and-a-half hours.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova will play for a spot in the final against the winner of a match later in the day between Serbian 22nd seed Jelena Jankovic and Italian 15th seed Roberta Vinci.