The 2009 runner-up Li Na has defeated Maria Sharapova for the second year in a row at the AEGON Classic, last year in the semifinals but this year in the finals to claim her first WTA title on grass.

The first set was closely fought,  with the second-seeded Sharapova making a 3-1 lead only to let Li break back and level at 3-3. During the first set Sharapova, twice titlist in Birmingham, had and converted only that one break point, while Li converted 2 of her 8 chances to break and win the first set 7-5. Li then rolled through the second set 6-1.

By winning her third WTA singles title, the first Chinese women's tennis player to enter the Top 10 will return to the elite group. (photo via AEGON Classic)

Maria Sharapova put an end to an amazing winning streak of qualifier Alison Riske to reach the AEGON Classic final for the fourth time in seven visits to Birmingham. The Russian’s opponent in the title match will be Li Na, who defeated her in the last year’s semifinals.

Riske had never won a WTA main-draw match before this week, but even after victories over Sandra Zahlavova in the first round, former world No.5 Chakvetadze, ninth seed Aleksandra Wozniak and third seed Yanina Wickmayer, the 19-year-old had fuel in her tank and took one set from Sharapova who came through with the 6-2 4-6 6-1 score.

Top seed Li Na of China also played a three-setter to beat Aravane Rezai 6-1 3-6 6-3 in the second semifinal and reach the trophy round. The Chinese No.1, who was upset by Magdalena Rybarikova in the 2009 final, is 1-5 in career meetings with Sharapova. (photo by Richard)

Second seed Maria Sharapova won two matches on Thursday, one of which lasted for three days, and she continued with winning on Friday to reach the semifinals of the AEGON Classic, the tournament she has won two times.

Sharapova first beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the second round, in a match greatly affected by rain, then she defeated fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva 6-3 6-1 (their first encounter after Kudryavtseva upset Sharapova in the second round of Wimbledon and later on stated how she got the extra motivation from hating Sharapova’s outfit), and today she has eliminated Sesil Karatantcheva, who had upset tenth seed and defending champion Magdalena Rybarikova in the previous round.

In her seventh successive semifinal at the tournament, Sharapova will face 185th-ranked qualifier Alison Riske of the United States. The 19-year-old Riske is an interesting opponent because she came to Birmingham without even one main draw victory on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, but at the 2010 AEGON Classic she first upset 9th seed Aleksandra Wozniack, then Anna Chakvetadze, and then third seed Yanina Wickmayer in the quarterfinals. (photos by Richard and © Neal Trousdale)

Twice Birmingham champion Maria Sharapova had to play her rain-interrupted second round match for three days to finally beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands at the AEGON Classic in Birmingham.

The match was first supposed to be played on Tuesday before being cancelled, then the rain delayed it for Wednesday when it was disrupted again at 4-0 40-30 in favor of the second-seeded Sharapova. Finally, the match was completed on Thursday with the score 6-0 6-3.

Due to these rain delays Sharapova is forced to play her third round right after her second round, and at the moment she is playing against fellow Russian Alla Kudryavtseva. (photo by our reader Richard)

Thanks to our reader Jacob we have information about the most probable fashion choices of Nike and adidas for their players and the upcoming Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova will wear the Striking Lawn Dress. The Russian is apparently still in the mood for layers and elegant dresses. Personally, I preferred her other phases, but I can’t say her recent designs have been bad. The straps of this white Wimbledon dress are crossing at the back.

Much more appealing to me is the dress that Ana Ivanovic and Flavia Pennetta will most probably wear – adidas’ Women's adilibria Dress. Again, at first glance it looks more sporty and simple than Sharapova's Nike, and I prefer the cleaner lines. This dress is also available in pink, and looks even better than the white version. (source: ProTennis)