WIMBLEDON Sharapova eyes Serena

The young Russian will try to stop two-time defending champ Serena Williams.
WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- On the morning of her Wimbledon semifinal, Maria Sharapova wasn't working on her game plan. She was busy with a high school essay.
The 17-year-old Russian completed the sociology paper just hours before beating former champion Lindsay Davenport to become the third-youngest player to reach the women's final. During a rain delay, Sharapova relaxed by reading a celebrity gossip magazine.
"It was quite boring," she said.
Nothing seems to faze the precocious Sharapova, who rallied from a set and 3-1 down to beat one of the biggest hitters in the game 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 Thursday for a spot in her first Grand Slam final.
Now she faces a tougher test -- playing two-time defending champion Serena Williams on Saturday.
Williams, trying to become the third woman in 35 years to win three consecutive titles, beat Amelie Mauresmo 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4.
"It doesn't matter who I play," Sharapova said. "I've just been going out and just believing in myself that I can do it, and I've just been winning."
So, too, has defending men's champion Roger Federer, who has won 22 straight grass-court matches going into the semifinal today against Sebastien Grosjean. Andy Roddick faced 20-year-old Mario Ancic in the other semifinal.
Sharapova is the youngest Wimbledon finalist since Martina Hingis won 1997 title at 16. Only one other women's finalist was younger: Lottie Dod, the champion at 15 in 1887.
"I knew that I could achieve many things if I worked hard and if I believed in myself," Sharapova said. "But I never expected to do so well at such an early age. To get to the final of Wimbledon, my favorite tournament, is just amazing."
Love for tennis
Sharapova, born in Siberia, moved to Florida and began training at Nick Bollettieri's academy at age 9. She's coached by her father, Yuri, and also has worked in Los Angeles with Robert Landsdorp.
Sharapova is working toward a high school degree, printing out tests and assignments from the Internet. The 6-foot blonde also has a modeling contract.
Sharapova is the first Russian woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Olga Morozova, who was beaten by Chris Evert for the 1974 title.
"It's a big moment," Davenport said. "I think she'll have some more of those in the future. I think this is like her definite breakthrough."
Sharapova smacked 46 winners against Davenport. But, just as impressive, was her fearlessness on big points and resolve in coming from behind.
"I just kept believing in myself," Sharapova said. "I did everything I could to win. I was just fighting, especially in the tiebreak. I wanted it so bad.
"I've always been a competitor through my whole career. I was never that kind of person that wanted to practice and get myself better. I just wanted to compete and play against girls, boys, whatever, older, younger and I wanted to win."
Having the "heart"
Williams showed similar mettle in overcoming Mauresmo in a 21/2-hour match filled with momentum swings, great shots and animated displays of shouting and fist pumping by both players. Williams said she didn't play well and got through only on "heart."
"I just had a bad day today," she said. "But it's always good to pull it through against a top player in the semifinals of Wimbledon on a bad day. That's always a plus."
It's the first trip back to a Grand Slam final for Williams since she beat sister Venus for last year's Wimbledon title. Serena underwent surgery on her left knee in August and was sidelined for eight months.
"It hasn't been an easy road back," she said. "I really was struggling a lot."
Williams and Sharapova have met once before, with the American winning 6-4, 6-3 in March in Key Biscayne, Fla. Williams figures the teenager will be the crowd favorite Saturday.
"The crowds always root for the underdog, at least when I'm playing," she said. "I'm always not the underdog. I'm used to it."