Sharapova and Molik in final in Zurich

ZURICH, Switzerland, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova advanced Saturday to the final of the $1.3 million Swisscom Challenge with a three-set victory over Elena Dementieva.

In a battle of Russians, Sharapova dropped the first set against Dementieva, but rallied to win the match, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Sharapova, 17, has won her last 12 matches, including recent back-to-back titles in Seoul and Tokyo. She will be looking for her fifth WTA Tour title of 2004 and the seventh of her career on Sunday.

Molik, the Olympic bronze medalist, reached the finals with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over Swiss crowd favorite Patty Schnyder in the other semifinal. Molik, 23, seeks her second title of the year and the third of her career.