Olympic Tennis 2012 Results: Maria Sharapova Cruises to London Finals

Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova made short work of fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in their Olympic women's singles semifinal on Friday.

Sharapova edged Kirilenko in straight sets, winning 6-2, 6-3 in a match that took roughly 90 minutes to complete.

The four-time Grand Slam champion and Russian flag bearer will move on to face either Serena Williams or Victoria Azarenka in the final on the prestigious grass-covered Centre Court.

Despite 2012 marking Sharapova's first-ever trip to the Olympic Games, the 25-year-old has handled the pressure of representing her country on the court exceptionally well.

Two months after winning her first-ever French Open title in June, Sharapova can join an elite list of female tennis players who have won each Grand Slam tournament and an Olympic gold medal.

Either way, Sharapova is guaranteed at least a silver medal this summer in London as the runner-up in the final.

Having said that, a gold would be all the more special. Sharapova's first career major win came at Wimbledon back in 2004. Eight years later, she would be on top of the All England Club again, only this time as an Olympic champion.

One certainly has to like Sharapova's chances of winning gold as well, considering that she has dropped only one set through her first five matches at the Games.

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