Sharapova is seeking her third title in Birmingham

Maria Sharapova moved into the semi-finals of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham with a three-set win over Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.

The Russian, making her way back after nine months out with a shoulder injury, won 6-1 2-6 6-3.

Sharapova will next face Chinese fourth seed Li Na, who beat Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele 6-3 7-6 (7-3).

"We've always had pretty difficult encounters. She is always a tough one," said Sharapova of her next opponent.

"I just played her last week at the French Open and it was three tough sets, but that was on clay, and this is a new tournament and a different surface."

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In Friday's other quarter-finals, India's Sania Mirza beat Melinda Czink 6-1 7-6 (7-4) and next plays Magdalena Rybarikova, who beat Polish teenager Urszula Radwanska 6-3 6-3.

Mirza, recovering from a career-threatening wrist injury, was encouraged by her performances to date.

"I struggled last week and I am just happy to be back," said the 22-year-old from Hyderabad.

"I'm happy to be competing and winning some matches. The wrist is healed which is the biggest positive out of this."

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