Sharapova's reign ended by Venus

American Venus Williams (picture) ended Maria Sharapova's reign as Wimbledon champion with a ruthless 7-6 6-1 semi-final victory yesterday.

Showing the kind of form which won her the title here in 2000 and 2001, Venus tamed the 18-year-old Russian in a hard-fought, high decibel battle.

Tomorrow she will face Amelie Mauresmo or Lindsay Davenport whose semi-final will be completed today after rain stopped play with the American leading 6-7 7-6 5-3.

Venus, whose sister Serena beat her to win the title in 2002 and 2003 and lost to Sharapova last year, ensured that the Williams family would be represented in the Wimbledon final for a sixth successive year.

The 25-year-old had been overwhelmed by the second-seeded Sharapova in both of their previous meetings but yesterday she refused to be intimidated by an opponent who had walked on to Centre Court on the back of a 22-match winning streak on grass.

Playing her first grand slam semi since 2003, Venus displayed her sheer determination as she stormed into the title match for the fifth time in six years.

When Sharapova hit a backhand wide on match point after one hour and 41 minutes of exhilarating action, Venus raised her arms in triumph.

A grim Sharapova hung her head low as she struggled to come to terms with her downfall as Venus continued her celebrations by jumping up and down and twirling around to acknowledge the cheers.

"Serena sent me an e-mail and told me what to do and told me that I'm the best and I took her advice to heart," Venus said moments after walking off court.

On paper, as champion and second seed Sharapova had been clear favourite to beat Venus, who was seeded only 14th after a spell of unremarkable results.

But Venus turned the formbook on its head with a spectacular exhibition of power hitting.

After being confined to the locker room for 4 1/2 hours thanks to persistent drizzle, Venus struck the first blow by taking a 4-2 lead when Sharapova dumped a forehand into the net at the end of a long rally on break point.

Sharapova, though, was not prepared to roll over and hit back in the ninth game. Venus had two set points but watched both evaporate into the clouds overhead as Sharapova pounded away from the baseline.

Although Sharapova earned the break back, Venus could not be stopped in the ensuing tiebreak.

Exactly 20 minutes after the American had been frustrated on her first attempts to secure the set, a Sharapova backhand error handed Venus the tiebreak 7-2.

Venus stepped up a gear in the second and raced towards victory as the Russian's game fell apart.

Hewitt not fazed by Federer challenge

Lleyton Hewitt will ignore recent history and undertake the seemingly impossible task of defeating defending champion Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-finals today.

Federer has won his last seven encounters with the Australian third seed and is on a 34-game winning streak on grass, but Hewitt is promising a Centre Court battle worthy of the final itself.

"From the way I'm hitting the ball, there are little areas that I think I might have a slight advantage," said the unfazed 24-year-old.

"You've got to believe in yourself. I believe I'm capable of winning the match. It's not going to be easy, and I've got to play one of my best matches that I've got. But I believe that I can do it."

Second seed Andy Roddick is likely to be awaiting the winner. The American faces 30-year-old Swede Thomas Johansson, whom he beat in the second round at Wimbledon in 2001.