Sharapova beats Riske to gain Birmingham final in bid for 3rd title at Wimbledon warmup

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Sharapova beats Riske to gain Birmingham final

BIRMINGHAM, England — Maria Sharapova has advanced to the final of the grass-court Aegon Classic by beating Alison Riske 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.

The second-seeded Russian will face the winner of the second semifinal between top-seeded Li Na of China and fourth-seeded Aravane Rezai of France, who play later Saturday.

Sharapova won this Wimbledon warmup in 2004 and 2005 and was runner-up in 2007.

Riske, a 19-year-old American qualifier, upset third-seeded Yanina Wickmayer to reach the semifinals.