Sharapova rolls into DFS semifinals

Top-seeded Maria Sharapova defeated Mara Santangelo of Italy 6-2, 6-2 Friday to advance to the semifinals of the DFS Classic grass-court tournament.

The defending champion will face American Jamea Jackson, who upset Elena Likhovtseva of Russia 6-4, 6-3 to reach her first WTA Tour semifinal on Saturday.

Sharapova is pleased with her progress at the Wimbledon tuneup, despite a slow start against Santangelo.

"I had to be ready from the beginning because Mara has been playing well," Sharapova said. "I keep improving with each match, which is the most important thing."

Sharapova lost the first six points of the match and failed to return Santagelo's first six serves. The Russian steadily improved against her 12th-seeded opponent, whose half-sliced groundstrokes were effective on the slick surface.

Sharapova broke in the first set for 2-1, saved a break back point in the next game with an ace and dominated the rest of the way. She is recovering from a right ankle injury.

"I feel hardly any problems with my ankle," she said.