Sports Headlines

Sharapova, Serena to Play for Olympic Gold

Posted: 9:41 PM Aug 3, 2012
Reporter: AP

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- Maria Sharapova will play for gold in the Olympic tennis final.

The third-seeded Sharapova defeated Russian teammate Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals at Wimbledon on Friday. She hit a forehand drive volley past Kirilenko on match point.

Sharapova has won four Grand Slam titles, including the French Open this year. She missed the Beijing Olympics in 2008 because of a shoulder injury.

Serena Williams clinched at least a silver medal Friday and earned a berth in the Olympic final when she beat No. 1-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-2.

On Saturday, Williams will face the first-time Olympian Sharapova.

Williams has lost only 16 games through five rounds and has won 12 consecutive matches this summer at the All England Club, including her fifth Wimbledon title a month ago.

She teamed with sister Venus to win the gold medal in doubles in 2000 and 2008. They had a chance to clinch at least a silver in a semifinal later in the day.

Williams has won 14 Grand Slam singles championships, the most of any active woman.