Sharapova advances to Bank of West semis

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 31 (UPI) -- Maria Sharapova and top-seeded Samantha Stosur advanced to Saturday's semifinals at the Bank of the West Classic in California.

Sharapova defeated second-seeded Elena Dementieva 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 Friday and will face Agnieszka Radwanska Saturday evening at the Stanford University courts.

Stosur will go against Victoria Azarenka, who ousted defending champion Marion Bartoli in Friday's quarterfinals 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Stosur defeated Yanina Wickmayer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Azarenka needed more than 2 hours to get past Bartoli in a match the San Francisco Chronicle described as being dominated by long volleys and Azarenka's trademark yells during each shot.

Bartoli said afterward there was a good chance Azarenka could face the notably vocal Sharapova in the finals. "For sure, if you have a match between (them), you better come up with some earplugs," she joked.