Sharapova downs Dementieva to reach semis

LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) Maria Sharapova dispatched fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 6-1 6-4 today to secure a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the third successive year.

The 2004 champion ran Dementieva ragged in the first set with hefty serves and typically brutal hitting down both flanks in sultry conditions on Centre Court.

Dementieva's serve is her biggest flaw and she failed to hold her opening service game, allowing Sharapova to take charge and she was a set up after only 27 minutes.

The second set was briefly interrupted by a male streaker and 19-year-old Sharapova went from 4-0 up to 4-3 soon after before recovering her composure to seal a place in the last four against either French top seed Amelie Mauresmo or Russia's Anastasia Myskina.

REUTERS PDS HT1930