Maria Sharapova has reached the semi-finals of the WTA Finals after inflicting a career-ending defeat on Flavia Pennetta.
The third-seeded Russian comfortably wrapped up a 7-5 6-1 win to qualify from the Red Group, but this result eliminated US Open champion Pennetta, who has announced she will retire after the tournament.
"I've lost the last couple of times against Flavia. I know what a tough competitor and opponent she is. I just wanted to get a little bit of revenge before she goes out of the game!" Sharapova told wtatennis.com.
"She's had an incredible career and I was so happy she got the grand slam at the US Open. I was smiling for her."
Sharapova's two-set win also meant that Agnieszka Radwanska advanced from the group after ending Simona Halep's qualification hopes earlier in the day.
Fifth seed Radwanska had lost both of her opening matches, but battled through after a 7-6 (7/5) 6-1 victory over world number two Halep, including overturning a 5-1 deficit in the tie-break.
Her progression then relied solely on Sharapova's result, which sent both of them into the next stage.
"That tie-break was something else and I just managed to make some great points at important moments," Radwanska said after her win.
"It's very nice to hear people say my tennis is entertaining so I hope I can keep hearing people say that over and over again."
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