WIMBLEDON, England ? Serena Williams rallied from a set and 3-1 down — winning three key points with a cracked racket — to defeat Amelie Mauresmo and advance to the Wimbledon final for the third straight year. Williams, trying to become the third woman in 35 years to win three consecutive titles, won, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4, in a topsy-turvy match full of drama, momentum swings, spectacular shots and animated displays of emotion by both players.

“I didn’t have a game today,” Williams said. “I just really had heart, that’s all. I kept fighting.”

Williams will face 17-year-old Maria Sharapova in Saturday’s final. Sharapova, who also came back from a set and 3-1 down, beat former champion Lindsay Davenport, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-1, to confirm her reputation as the biggest new standout in the game.

Sharapova is the youngest Wimbledon finalist since Martina Hingis, who won the title in 1997 at 16, and the third youngest to reach the women’s title match. The youngest was Lottie Dod, who won the championship in 1887 at 15.

Sharapova also is the first Russian woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Olga Morozova, who lost to Chris Evert in 1974.

“It’s unbelievable,” Sharapova said. “I’m in the final. It’s absolutely crazy. It’s my favorite Grand Slam.”

The men’s semifinals are set for today, with defending champion Roger Federer facing Sebastian Grosjean, and Andy Roddick playing 20-year-old Mario Ancic. All but Ancic were in last year’s semis.