Semi-final result:

M SHARAPOVA (Rus) bt A MAURESMO (Fra)

6-0 4-6 6-0

By Piers Newbery

Third set

Mauresmo 0-6 Sharapova
Double faults have been one of the features of women's semi-finals day and Sharapova opens with another as she serves for the match. There is to be no wobble today, though, as Mauresmo continues to oblige with unforced errors. With two match points at 40-15, Sharapova hits yet another backhand winner.

Mauresmo 0-5 Sharapova
The wheels have come off for Mauresmo, who fires three successive groundstrokes long as she drops serve again. As poor as Mauresmo has been in the first and third sets, the relentless hitting from Sharapova has proved the difference.

Mauresmo 0-4 Sharapova
It's a must-win game for Mauresmo and there is hope when she gets to 0-30. Sharapova responds with an ace before Mauresmo nets a forehand, and at 30-30 the Russian hits a big serve out wide and thumps away a backhand. Another backhand winner follows and it looks like being her day.

Mauresmo 0-3 Sharapova
A magnificent backhand winner earns Sharapova three break points at 0-40, and she takes the second by dominating another lengthy rally. Her backhand is the key shot at the moment and Mauresmo is in deep trouble.

Mauresmo 0-2 Sharapova
It's all going swimmingly for Sharapova at 30-15 and with an easy smash lined up for her, but after letting it bounce she buries it in the net. Disaster for the Russian. However, she hits back with a brilliant backhand winner in the next point and the momentum is back with her.

Mauresmo 0-1 Sharapova
This will be a big test now for Sharapova, who has yet to beat Mauresmo in three attempts and lost to her in three sets at Wimbledon. Mauresmo double faults to let the Russian in at 30-30 and then nets a forehand. A long rally ensues and this time Mauresmo falters, netting another forehand, and Sharapova screams in delight at the break of serve.

Second set

Mauresmo 6-4 Sharapova
The momentum shifts with Sharapova serving to stay in the set. She opens with an error and when Mauresmo rushes the net and punches away a volley for 0-30, the crowd finally find their voice. A Sharapova forehand error gives Mauresmo two set points at 15-40.

The first slips away with a Mauresmo net cord that falls the wrong side for the Frenchwoman, the second goes with a dreadful mishit. Mauresmo makes no mistake on the third, however, winning a long rally with a forehand winner. It's all square.

Mauresmo 5-4 Sharapova
Mauresmo moves Sharapova around with her backhand on her way to 40-15 and wraps it up with an excellent forehand. Again, she skips back to her chair as if to convince everyone she is feeling confident.

Mauresmo 4-4 Sharapova
Mauresmo does well to get to 30-30 by hanging in as Sharapova belts everything that comes her way, but the Russian finds a big serve and a spectacular forehand winner down the line to earn game point. Sharapova takes the game with a superb second serve.

Mauresmo 4-3 Sharapova
The atmosphere remains as flat as a pancake, mainly because only one player is in decent form. Mauresmo fails to put away a smash and is pegged back to 30-30 but she makes amends with a sharp volley and a service winner.

Mauresmo 3-3 Sharapova
Sharapova continues to look strong and holds to 15, although the wind is picking up and making it difficult for both players. The Russian ploughs on, taking the game with a crunching forehand.

Mauresmo 3-2 Sharapova
Mauresmo moves ahead again with a comfortable hold and the next break of serve could be enough in this set.

Mauresmo 2-2 Sharapova
There is the odd sign that Mauresmo is finding her range, especially on the backhand, but Sharapova remains in top form. She holds to 15, with one forehand cross-court a highlight.

Mauresmo 2-1 Sharapova
Mauresmo is in danger at 0-30 but Sharapova lets her off the hook with a couple of errors. A running forehand winner by Sharapova forces a second deuce but Mauresmo hangs on.

Mauresmo 1-1 Sharapova
Mauresmo has a half-chance at 15-15 but dumps a very makeable forehand into the net. At 40-30, Sharapova seals the game with some fierce forehands that draw another error from the world number one.

Mauresmo 1-0 Sharapova
Mauresmo finally gets off the mark and will see some signs of hope after successfully moving Sharapova around on her way to a love game. We get the first "C'mon!" from Mauresmo as she sprints back to her chair.

First set

Mauresmo 0-6 Sharapova
Mauresmo's forehand is currently endangering the ball boys and line judges more than Sharapova. It's not often you see the world number one 'bageled' but Sharapova is in great form. She gets to 40-15 with a winning backhand pass and wraps up the set in 24 minutes with a big serve.

Mauresmo 0-5 Sharapova
Another tremendous Sharapova forehand pass sets the tone, and when Mauresmo misses a volley and makes a double fault she is in danger again at 15-40. The Russian thumps a forehand winner past Mauresmo and it's all a blur for the world number one for the moment.

Mauresmo 0-4 Sharapova
Sharapova is at her best at the moment - shrieking and firing winners. The Russian lunges for a superb forehand cross-court pass for 15-15 and is consistently peppering the baseline. Mauresmo just cannot find her range - the wind may be hampering her slightly - and Sharapova holds to 30.

Mauresmo 0-3 Sharapova
Sharapova moves to 15-40 up with a stunning cross-court backhand winner and secures the double break when Mauresmo's backhand breaks down in another lengthy rally.

Mauresmo 0-2 Sharapova
Mauresmo has not found her rhythm yet, although she does make one fine forehand winner. Sharapova - wearing a grey outfit as opposed to the Audrey Hepburn-inspired black number we've seen recently - is hitting aggressively from the baseline and holds to 30.