Two-time defending champion Serena Williams of the United States and teenage Russian sensation Maria Sharapova both staged stunning fightbacks to reach the Wimbledon women's final on Thursday.

Top seed Williams, bidding for a third successive title, clawed her way back from one set and a break down to defeat injury-hit French fourth seed Amelie Mauresmo 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-4 in a Centre Court thriller.

Earlier, 17-year-old Sharapova came back from a set and 3-1 down to defeat former champion Lindsay Davenport of the United States 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 to become the second youngest finalist in the Open era.

Mauresmo appeared to have the match in the bag at one set and 3-1 up, but Williams redoubled her aggression and Mauresmo started to grimace and rub her lower back in a sign that one of her old injuries was back.

The French woman needed off court treatment and battled on after losing the second set using pure shot-making to stay in the match instead of raw power.

But in the end Williams regained her composure and confidence and a last series of attacks put the match away after 2hr 27min of enthralling tennis.

"It was really tough. Amelie is a great player, very talented and after the first set I got a little down on myself but I told myself to fight it out," said Williams.

"After all the injuries I have had over the last year, making the final again is a really special moment."

Her meeting against the 13th seeded Sharapova will only be their second career clash with Williams winning in Miami earlier this year 6-4, 6-3.

Sharapova came out on top in her 1hr 53min clash against the 1999 winner Davenport and revealed the secret to her success - writing school essays and reading celebrity magazines.

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