Tennis: Maria Sharapova

Teenage sensation Maria Sharapova achieved the greatest win of her fledgling career by toppling number one seed Elena Dementieva to reach the semi-finals of the DFS Classic in Birmingham.

The 16-year-old Siberian-born Sharapova provided further proof of her star potential by coming from a set down to beat her compatriot, the Russian number two and world number 15, 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in a two-hour marathon.

Sharapova entered the Edgbaston tournament as an unknown qualifier and just 15 months ago had a world ranking of 532 but, with victories over three of the world's leading 35 players, she is guaranteed a place in the top 100 when the new rankings come out next week.

Dementieva, who beat Justine Henin-Hardenne and Lindsay Davenport to win in Amelia Island earlier this year, served for the match at 6-5 in the second set but her Florida-based opponent demonstrated resilience far beyond her tender years to claw her way back and win the battle of the blonde baseliners.