Sharapova wins grudge match against Safina to reach semi-finals

Top-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova has avenged a French Open fourth-round defeat with a straight-set win over compatriot Dinara Safina to reach the semi-finals of this 600,000-dollar WTA tournament.

Sharapova, seeking to keep the momentum going after her WTA triumph in San Diego last week, defeated the fifth-seeded Safina 6-2, 6-4, saving two break points in the final game before firing a service winner on match point.

She set up a meeting with another fellow Russian, third-seeded Elena Dementieva, who survived 14 double faults to beat US wildcard Bethanie Mattek 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Sharapova owns a 5-1 record over Dementieva, including a triumph in the Indian Wells final in March and a quarter-final victory at Wimbledon.

Dementieva admitted she would have her work cut out in the semi-finals.

"She's very focused," Dementieva said of Sharapova. "It's all about her concentration. She plays every ball like it's the last one."

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams also reached the final four, rallying for a 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow American Meghann Shaughnessy.

Sharapova, who had let slip a 5-1 third-set lead against Safina at Roland Garros in June, has now reached the final four without dropping a set.