Sharapova has already won titles in Memphis and Strasbourg this year

Maria Sharapova closed in on a third Birmingham title with victory over American qualifier Alison Riske in the semi-finals of the Aegon Classic.

Riske, 19, had never won a WTA main-draw match before this week but beat third seed Yanina Wickmayer to reach the last eight.

And she put in another fine display before former world number one Sharapova came through 6-2 4-6 6-1.

Top seed Li Na of China beat Aravane Rezai 6-1 3-6 6-3 in the second semi.

Sharapova, 23, lost to Li in last year's semi-finals and does not plan to suffer the same fate on Sunday.

"It'll be good to play her again," said the Russian. "A year makes a big difference. I certainly don't like losing to the same person twice in a row - I'm a big competitor.

606: DEBATE Will Sharapova challenge for Grand Slam titles again?

"I'm certainly going to try to turn that around."

Sharapova, currently ranked 17th, was tested by world number 185, Riske, before dominating the final set.

"I had one sloppy game in the second set and let her back into the match and credit to her she did a great job of executing that set," said the former Wimbledon, US and Australian Open champion.

"I definitely had to change a few things around in the third set and step it up a bit. I came through in the end and played good tennis.

"My game is trying to attack. If I'm doing it well, I should be winning the majority of my matches and that definitely gives you confidence."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version