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		</div><p>Thoroughbred Russian grit outclassed all-American pedigree as Maria Sharapova fended off Coco Vandeweghe to set up a probable Wimbledon semi-final with Serena Williams.</p>
<p>Vandeweghe has finally come of grand slam age in SW19 but was no match in the deciding set for five-time major champion Sharapova, who grunted, screamed and cajoled her way to 6-3 6-7 (3/7) 6-2 victory.</p>
<p>New York native Vandeweghe may now be ready to uphold the legacy of her Miss America and NBA star grandparents – but 2004 Wimbledon champion Sharapova is still busy extending a sporting dynasty of her own.</p>
<p>Sharapova’s wince-inducing screams grew louder amid stress points, as is her custom – any decibel rises did little to deter Vandeweghe, who can at least be proud of the staying power that forced a third set.</p>
<p>“It’s been a while since I’ve been at that stage so I’m really happy with every match,” said Sharapova, preparing for her 20th grand slam semi-final.</p>
<p>“You have to give everything you have on a special occasion; you’re playing to be one of the last four in one of the world’s biggest tournaments.”</p>
<p>Sharapova served for the match in the second set, only for Vandeweghe to force and then win a tie-break and take the clash the distance.</p>
<p>“I was pretty dominant in the first and beginning of the second set and things slipped away a little for me in the tie-break,” said Sharapova.</p>
<p>“I really regrouped and obviously she was playing with a lot of confidence and had nothing to lose.</p>
<p>“Obviously when you’re in a position to win it, sometimes it doesn’t quite go your way and then you go back to the thing that helped you win that first set.”</p>
<p>Sharapova will now most likely face top seed Williams in her fifth Wimbledon semi-final – where cold stares and icy glances would be the order of the day.</p>
<p>World number one Williams already boasts this year’s Australian and French Open titles and is gunning for a calendar grand slam that would all-but complete her set of career landmarks.</p>
<p>The 33-year-old, younger Williams sister must first move past a resurgent Victoria Azarenka to confirm that Sharapova battle.</p>
<p>Few victories on the world stage would perhaps give Sharapova more pleasure than denying great rival Williams that elusive calendar slam.</p>
<p>Two years ago Williams appeared to brand Grigor Dimitrov “the guy with the black heart”. She had been in a relationship with the Bulgarian, who is now dating Sharapova.</p>
<p>Sharapova responded in kind, and the pair’s relationship since could politely be described as terse.</p>
<p>This run represents Sharapova’s best Wimbledon performance since losing the 2011 final to Petra Kvitova, as the Russian seeks further grand slam glory.</p>
<p>Whether the 28-year-old could cope with Serena Williams’s power and dominance some 11 years after landing the Wimbledon title remains to be seen.</p>
<p>The Russian wrestled with her faltering serve throughout a hard-fought victory over Vandeweghe – Williams would exploit similar technical shortcomings without mercy.</p>
<p>Defeat for Vandeweghe ends her best-ever grand slam showing – but should also put a stop to a lengthy bout of soul-searching for her true persona in professional tennis.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old claims her once-household American name does not weigh heavily, but the exploits of her relatives doubtless adds pressure.</p>
<p>The granddaughter of all-star couple 1952 Miss America Colleen Kay Hutchins and former New York Knick Ernie Vandeweghe is also the daughter of former Olympic swimmer Tauna Vandeweghe.</p>
<p>Vandeweghe took her mother’s maiden name after her parents’ divorce left her estranged from her father.</p>
<p>In February last year she vowed to cut out the junk food and turn her preparation on its head: 17 months on she can leave London with a serious grand slam career in the making.</p>
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