BIRMINGHAM, England - Defending champion Maria Sharapova overcame an injury scare to reach the semi-finals of the Birmingham Classic with a 7-5 2-6 6-1 win over Greece's Eleni Daniilidou today.
Top seed Sharapova, who used this tournament last year as a springboard to launch her glorious Wimbledon campaign, dropped the second set after receiving treatment on her right thigh.
But the 18-year-old recovered well to convincingly run through the decider and set up a semi-final against Tatiana Golovin of France.
The 22-year-old Daniilidou, herself recovering from wrist surgery, had already been beaten by Sharapova in Miami this year and struggled to cope with the leggy Russian's trademark fierce serve and aggressive baseline hitting.
Fifth seed Golovin came through against Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-4 7-6.
The two Americans left in the draw had contrasting fortunes in their quarter-final matches.
Unseeded Laura Granville beat Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-4 6-3 but unseeded Mashona Washington's run was ended by third seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montengero 6-2 6-4.
- REUTERS
Tennis: Sharapova battles past Daniilidou into semi-finals
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