Sharapova, Golovin in Rematch at WTA Birmingham

Top-seeded Maria Sharapova and No. 5 Tatiana Golovin advanced to a rematch of last year's final, this time in the Saturday semifinals at the WTA stop in Birmingham.

Sharapova was tested 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 by unseeded Greek Eleni Daniilidou, while Golvin defeated Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 7-6(3).

"From the beginning of the match, I wasn't playing well, had no timing and wasn't serving well," said Sharapova, pushed for the second time to three sets in the event. "But it's impossible to play your third match on grass and play unbelievable."

Sharapova benefited in the third set from Daniilidou's choking ways at crunch time.

"All credit to my opponent as she played well," said Sharapova, suffering from a cold and a thigh strain, after being handed the victory. "I had played badly for the first two sets, so in the third set I had better pick it up. I fought really hard out there."

The win was Sharapova's 15th consecutive on grass.

Also into the semis were No. 3 Jelena Jankovic (d. Washington), and unseeded American Laura Granville (d. Tanasugarn).

"I'm looking forward to a good match," said Golovin on facing Sharapova. "We haven't played each other since here last year, but we played so many times when we were younger that we know each others games so well."

Sharapova leads Golovin 1-0, with their lone tour meeting in last year's final, with Jankovic and Granville meeting for the first time on tour.

Saturday's doubles semis will be (1) Black/Huber vs. Daniilidou/Russell, and (2) Hantuchova/Sugiyama vs. (4) Stewart/Stosur.