Maria Sharapova Advances to Birmingham Final

Defending champion Maria Sharapova of Russia has advanced to the final of the DFS Classic in Birmingham, beating Tatiana Golovin of France 7-5 6-1.

The Russian top seed, who beat Golovin in last year’s final, squandered a 5-2 lead in the opening set before edging it on her fifth set point. Maria Sharapova won the second set easily after Golovin injured an ankle.