Maria Sharapova reach semis at Wimbledon

Maria led Elena Dementieva 6-1, 4-0 on Centre Court before losing the next three games in a row and facing two more break points in the eighth game.

But the 2004 champion dug deep to hold serve and eventually secure a 6-1, 6-4 victory in one hour and 10 minutes. Maria Sharapova needed just 27 minutes to win the opening set, saving a break point in the opening game and then immediately breaking her compatriot to race into a 3-0 lead.