"In one sense, yeah, they're coming up, because they're reaching the bigger (stages) of the Grand Slams and they're trying to win their first one as well," Sharapova said. "But I also feel it's not the first time I'm seeing them in the draw or seeing them at the (tournament). It's not like they're 15 or 16 years old."
Still, (regardless) of who wins this year, it will be the youngest women's champion since Sharapova's victory.
While the Russian's opponent on Thursday is the only remaining player outside the top 10, Lisicki's low ranking belies her talent. She (slipped) out of the top 200 last year after spending seven weeks on crutches with an ankle injury.
Lisicki has won 11 straight grass-court matches this year, taking the title at the (warm up )tournament in Birmingham. She is the first German woman since Steffi Graf in 1999 to reach the last four at the All England Club. On her way there, she knocked out French Open champion Li Na in three sets after saving two match points on Centre Court.