Olympic Gallery: The Golden Shot At No.1

Maria Sharapova will also return to No.1 if she beats Serena Williams in the gold medal match.

Published August 04, 2012 12:00

Maria Kirilenko took on friend and fellow Russian Maria Sharapova in the first semifinal of the day.

But Maria Sharapova was too strong on the day, rallying from a break down in the second to win, 62 63.

Maria Sharapova moved smoothly through to the gold medal match in her very first Olympic appearance.

Meanwhile, Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka beat top seeds Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond in doubles.

The Czechs, who are the No.4 seeds, moved through to the gold medal match in the doubles competition.

The second singles semifinal of the day saw Serena Williams take on World No.1 Victoria Azarenka.

Serena Williams won eight of their nine previous meetings, and her last 11 matches with Top 5 players.

Victoria Azarenka had been a Wimbledon semifinalist the last two years but this one was too tough.

Serena Williams was crushing on the offense with 33 winners and squeaky clean on the errors with five.

Serena Williams won, 61 62, setting up a final between two players chasing the Career Golden Grand Slam.

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