Jamea Jackson dethrones defending Birmingham champion Sharapova

Jamea Jackson takes a break during practice at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston

In a thrilling, tight first set, and a second set that was over much sooner, American Jamea Jackson defeated DFS Classic defending champion Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4, to go to the finals against Russia's Vera Zvonareva. Though the Birmingham tournament is a Tier 3 event, it is nevertheless important because it is one of only two grass court tournaments before Wimbledon.

Jackson had already burned her way through Jelena Jankovic and Elena Likhovtseva to get to today's semifinal. The Birmingham victories, plus her victories at the Fed Cup games, would have her jumping several ranking spots if quality points (exra points for beating players of higher rankings) were still awarded, but they are not. Jackson is currently 81st in the world, but her ranking will be higher as of Monday.

Zvonareva is a former top 10 player whose ranking tumbled because of her emotional fragility. She is a very talented player, however, and I hope she can get back into the top 10 where she belongs.