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Sharapova charges into semifinals
 Sharapova is chasing a hat-trick of titles at the tournament. BIRMINGHAM, England -- Champion and top seed Maria Sharapova charged into the semifinals of the Birmingham Classic with a 6-2 6-2 win over Italian Mara Santangelo on Friday. Sharapova, chasing a hat-trick of titles in the Wimbledon warm-up event, will next play Jamea Jackson, a fellow 19-year-old who also lives in Florida. She reached her career-first WTA Tour semifinal by upsetting fourth-seeded Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 6-4 6-3. Saturday's other semi is another Russian-American clash between Vera Zvonareva and qualifier Meilen Tu. Tu continued her impressive run at the tournament when she beat sixth-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 6-4 6-4. Unseeded Russian Vera Zvonareva was a 6-3 3-6 6-1 winner over second seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy. But eyes were mostly on Sharapova, who is battling a minor injury. She broke for 2-1, saved a break back point in the next game with an ace, and dominated the rest of the way. "I had to be ready from the beginning because Mara has been playing well," Sharapova said. "I am certainly happy with the way I am improving with every match. I feel hardly any problems with my ankle." 
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