Sharapova beats Radwanska to reach final

Maria Sharapova shook off a first-set loss to beat Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday in the Bank of the West Classic to set up a championship match against Victoria Azarenka.

Azarenka, from Belarus, celebrating her 21st birthday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over top-seeded Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-3.

Fifth-seeded and 15th-ranked, Sharapova remained undefeated in four semifinal matches this season and will be looking for her third title.

The Russian star and the third-seeded Radwanska are both expected to move up in the rankings when they are released Monday.

A tournament title would give Sharapova her best ranking since returning from a shoulder injury in May of 2009.