Sharapova beats Davenport to reach final

WIMBLEDON, England -- Confirming her reputation as the biggest new star in the game, 17-year-old Maria Sharapova rallied from a set and 3-1 down Thursday to beat former champion Lindsay Davenport and advance to the Wimbledon final.

Playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, Sharapova hit a stunning 46 winners -- 20 more than Davenport -- to overcome the 1999 champion 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1. She's the first Russian woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Olga Morozova in 1974.

In Saturday's final, Sharapova will meet the winner of the second semifinal between two-time defending champion Serena Williams and Amelie Mauresmo.

"It's unbelievable," Sharapova said. "I'm in the final. It's absolutely crazy. It's my favorite Grand Slam. I never in the world expected to do so well here, so early. I'm amazed."

The men's semifinals are set for Friday, with defending champion Roger Federer facing Sebastian Grosjean, and Andy Roddick playing 20- year-old Mario Ancic. All but Ancic were also in last year's semis.

When Sharapova ripped a forehand winner off a Davenport first serve to go up 4-1 in the third set, the match was all but over. She held at love in the next game and then broke a demoralized Davenport to end the contest. After hitting a running backhand winner to set up match point, Sharapova stroked a deep return and Davenport pushed a forehand long.

Sharapova looked up at the sky, covered her mouth in amazement and waved and blew kisses to all corners of the Centre Court stadium.

The 1 hour, 53-minute match featured tremendous shotmaking by Sharapova, who hit 20 forehand winners from the baseline. She also managed to neutralize Davenport's big serve and, despite eight double- faults, served six aces of her own.

The match turned Sharapova's way after a 52-minute rain delay in the second set, with Davenport leading 2-1. After Davenport held for 3-1, Sharapova won 12 of the next 16 points to go up 4-3. She never trailed again.

Davenport twice came a point away from serving for the match in the second set, but couldn't break through. In the tiebreaker, Davenport saved two set points before Sharapova converted on the third, striking a clean backhand winner after a long rally.

Sharapova broke Davenport to open the third set in a game that went to six deuces and four break points. She dominated the rest of the way, while the 28-year-old Davenport had little left.

The match was first suspended by rain at 15-all in the first game after less than a minute of play. When the match resumed 30 minutes later, Davenport broke quickly to win the first game. She broke again for a 5-2 lead and closed the set with a 106 mph service winner.

Despite the first-set score, Sharapova showed she would be a serious threat. While the 6-foot-2 Davenport tried to dictate the points from the baseline with her deep, flat strokes, the 6-0 Sharapova often managed to get to the ball and send it back just as hard. She had 11 winners in the set, including three unreturnable forehands in one game.

Davenport, who has three Grand Slam titles, hasn't been in a major final since losing to Venus Williams in the U.S. Open championship match in 2000.

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