Sharapova through to semis

: "Fourth women's singles seed Maria Sharapova has beaten her compatriot 5th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova to make it to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Sharapova beat Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Kuznetsova was in the news at the start of the Open when Belgian authorities claimed she had tested positive for a banned stimulant, an allegation that she denied.

Seventeen-year-old Sharapova will play seventh seed and 2003 champion Serena Williams or second seed and 1999 runner-up Amelie Mauresmo in the semifinals. In another game, matching power with power, Australia's Alicia Molik extended Venus Williams' Grand Slam drought, advancing to the women's quarterfinals with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory."