Sharapova makes a final date

Maria Sharapova reeled off ten games in a row to reach the final of the DFS Classic in Birmingham for the third time in four years earlier today.

The 2004 Wimbledon champion beat fifth seed Marion Bartoli, of France, 7-5 6-0 to set up a repeat of the 2005 Birmingham final with world number three Jelena Jankovic.

The second semi-final was disrupted when a spectator had to be air-lifted to hospital after suffering a fall. The match was held up for more than half-an-hour after the woman fell several feet in one of the temporary stands and was badly hurt.

An air ambulance made an emergency landing on the practice courts at the Edgbaston Priory Club and rushed the spectator to hospital. It is thought she may have suffered a spinal injury.

While the woman was being treated at the scene, there was more drama as medical staff rushed to an elderly man after he collapsed in a different stand.

He was taken away in a wheelchair but his condition was not thought to be serious.

The enforced break came with Sharapova leading 3-2 and, when play resumed, the former Wimbledon champion went on to take the first set and rushed through the second as Bartoli wilted in the heat.

Bartoli had already spent almost an hour on centre court to finish off her third-round match against Daniela Hantuchova which was one-set all when bad light halted play last night.