Coverage of the 2006 JPMorgan Chase Open
Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Finals

Carson CA- It took Serena Williams three sets to find a way to beat Meghann Shaughnessy, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4, but she left no doubt that her ability and fitness is still a threat on the WTA Sony/Erickson Tour. Williams, ranked 110 is taking one step at a time. "Right now, I'm just trying to get to the top 50". Serena meets Jelena Jankovic (SCG) in tonight's semi-final.

In the evening quarterfinal match, Maria Sharapova spent little time downing Russian Dinara Safina, 6-2, 6-4. With several crowd pleasing point challenges, the match was Sharapova's for the taking. Safina called for a trainer and seemed to have a problem with her right elbow. With Sharapova's 65% 1st serve percentage, Sharapova appears prepared and focused to make a solid run of this season's US Open Series.

Maria Sharapova will play Elena Dementieva this afternoon in the first semi-final match.