Sharapova Advances in Rainy Birmingham

Maria Sharapova was one of the lucky ones who managed to reach the final four, with a pair of tricky victories over Tamira Paszek and Elena Likhovtseva in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, respectively. No.1 seed and two-time former champ Sharapova needed three sets to move past Austrian phenom Paszek, 63 46 62, then had an easier 62 63 win over Likhovtseva, but not before her veteran countrywoman raced back from 2-0 down to 3-2 in the second, prompting Sharapova to regroup.

"Paszek played really solid today; because she hasn't got experience behind her you could tell on some points she was trying to do too much, but I think she has a good future," Sharapova said. "After not playing for two days and coming out cold turkey I was sloppy in the first match and I had to put in a really good third set."

Sharapova said she felt more comfortable in the match against Likhovtseva, who had taken out No.12 seed Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the quarterfinals.

"I'm here to play tennis and matches and that's what I did today," Sharapova stated. "I got five sets today. It's tough to go out after not playing then all of a sudden trying for heavy shots. My shoulder felt heavy today but I'll recover."

The Russian world No.2 improved to 22-2 at the event, which she won in back-to-back years, in 2004 and 2005. She has used it as a key tune-up to arguably her best Slam event, Wimbledon, which begins in little over a week.

"My goal here is to get as many matches on the grass before Wimbledon. After playing on clay last week it's very difficult coming out on grass, so I'm looking for the best preparation I can have this week before Wimbledon, but so far so good."

The 16-year-old Paszek was gracious in defeat.

"It was dream for me to play her on one of her favorite surfaces," Paszek said. "It was a great experience for me and I'm really happy. It could've been better but I learned a lot. I saw Sharapova play at Wimbledon and it was my dream to go there and play where she played. It's everyone's dream to play there."

Also moving into the semis were Jelena Jankovic and Mara Santangelo. No.2 seed Jankovic beat No.6 seed Alona Bondarenko, 64 63, while No.8 seed Santangelo bounced No.4 seed Li Na, 62 75. Jankovic is a former finalist here, falling to Sharapova in the 2005 final; she is confident of her clay-to-grass transition.

"I can play on all surfaces," the world No.3 stated. "That's the good thing. It's a matter of adapting and being confident on whatever surface I'm on. I came from clay and didn't have much time to adapt but I'm trying my best and today was a lot better than the last few days so hopefully I will get better with each match."

Like Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchova also had to play catch-up, winning a third round match with Eleni Daniilidou, 76(3) 64. However, the No.3-seeded Slovak's match with No.5 seed Marion Bartoli was suspended after the two split sets. Hantuchova had won the first, 7-5, and Bartoli regrouped in the second, 6-4.

By virtue of her win over Daniilidou, Hantuchova assured herself of a return to the world's Top 10 on the next Tour Singles Rankings. The former world No.5 hasn't been among the world's 10 best in nearly four years.

The doubles was more decimated, with top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber the only team winning a quarterfinal match Saturday. They join No.2 seeds Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung as the only semifinalist teams decided thus far. The remaining quarters, the two semis and the final are all scheduled for Sunday. (WTA)