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Jankovic, Sharapova in Birmingham semis

BIRMINGHAM, England, June 16 (UPI) -- Top-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova and French Open semifinalist Jelena Jankovic were quarterfinal winners Saturday at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, England.

Rain postponed a pair of third-round matches as well as the quarterfinals Friday and delayed the start of play on Saturday.

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When action finally got under way, Sharapova defeated Tamira Paszek, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, while third-seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova beat Eleni Daniilidou, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, to wrap up the third round.

In quarterfinal action, Jankovic defeated sixth-seeded Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko, 6-4, 6-3, and eighth-seeded Italian Mara Santangelo beat fourth-seed Na Li, 6-2, 7-5.

After a short rest following her third-round victory, Sharapova, who was the back-to-back Birmingham titlist in 2004 and 2005, defeated Elena Likhovtseva, 6-2, 6-3.

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