Sharapova to play for Olympic gold

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

Sharapova, seeded No. 3, defeated another Russian, Maria Kirilenko, 6-2, 6-3, in the semifinals at Wimbledon on Friday. She hit a forehand drive volley past Kirilenko on matchpoint.

On Saturday, Sharapova will play the winner of No. 1 Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams.

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.

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