Russian duet duels at Wimbledon

WIMBLEDON, England — The record book shows her Wimbledon showdown with Maria Sharapova will be Venus Williams' first major semifinal in two years. There's no official accounting of how long it's been since Williams has shown unbridled joy on the court.

Or demonstrated the determination and shotmaking of a champion.

Each was on full display during a 6-0, 7-6 (10) victory over two-time major winner Mary Pierce in the Wimbledon quarterfinals Tuesday, and a snapshot from the tense tiebreaker revealed just how much closer to her old self Williams is.

Williams already had averted two set points when, at 6-6, Pierce ripped a backhand to the corner that was hit so well the Centre Court crowd let out a collective "Ooooh!" of appreciation, sure the pivotal point was over.

But with four quick strides to her left and a stretch, Williams dug out a defensive backhand to extend the 13-stroke exchange, and Pierce pushed a volley 5 feet long, perhaps as convinced as the fans that her work was done for the moment.

Williams raised her arms and yelled, "Yes!" About five minutes later, having saved three more set points before finally closing out a resilient Pierce, Williams repeated the pose, then thrust a fist in the air and smiled broadly.

She figures to have a tougher task Thursday against defending champion Sharapova, who was tested for the only time this tournament before beating No. 8 Nadia Petrova 7-6 (6), 6-3, with help from favorable net-cords on two points in the final game.

"Finishing off the matches is tough," the 18-year-old Sharapova said. " It's just so good to be in the semis again."

The other semifinal will be No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, a 7-6 (1), 6-3 winner over U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, against No. 3 Amelie Mauresmo, who defeated 2004 French Open champion Anastasia Myskina 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final four at the All England Club for the third time in four years.

The men's quarterfinals are Wednesday, including two-time defending champion and top-seeded Roger Federer vs. No. 21 Fernando Gonzalez, and No. 2 Andy Roddick vs. No. 9 Sebastien Grosjean.

Davenport-Mauresmo shapes up as an intriguing matchup: Davenport's baseline power vs. Mauresmo's serve-and-volley style, Davenport bidding to collect a second Wimbledon title a year after contemplating retirement, and Mauresmo trying to reach her first Slam final since 1999.

Yet Williams-Sharapova will draw most of the attention.