Sharapova Storms Into Final

Maria Sharapova will face Ana Ivanovic in the Australian Open women's final after two contrasting victories in the semi-finals.

Sharapova continued her blistering form with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Serbia's Jelena Jankovic, while the No4 seed Ivanovic lost the first set to love against Daniela Hantuchova before recovering to take the match 0-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The pair have met on four previous occasions - most recently in the WTA Tour Championships in Madrid in November last year when Sharapova won in straight sets - with two victories each. Sharapova, though, will start as favorite after brushing aside the No3 seed Jankovic.

It was another imposing display from the 20-year-old Russian, with her power and athleticism proving too much for Jankovic, whose injury problems finally appeared to catch up with her in the second set.

Sharapova continued where she left off against Justine Henin in the quarter-final, rattling off the opening five games to take a 5-0 lead. Jankovic, though, fought back to 5-3. "I was up 5-0 and I was playing too good for my own level," said Sharapova. "I was playing good tennis but as everyone knows Jelena plays very well when she's behind."

Nevertheless the No5 seed held her serve to take the first set 6-3, and then raced into a 3-0 lead in the second. Jankovic, who has needed treatment for a leg injury throughout the tournament and needed four painkillers before the match, had to have medical attention on a back injury in the final set and could only claim one game, Sharapova showing no mercy and taking it 6-1.

The final will be Sharapova's second in a row after her defeat to Serena Williams at the final hurdle last year. "I'm glad I was able to play such good tennis and I hope that I can play the same kind of tennis in the final," she said.

"I really hope I can take advantage of the experience I have behind me. I'm looking forward to being in the final and I hope I can produce some good tennis."

Ivanovic's route to the final was not so straightforward, with Hantuchova taking the first eight games of the match before the Serbian produced a remarkable comeback.

It took Hantuchova just 25 minutes to take the first set 6-0, and she broke her opponent again in the first game of the second set. Ivanovic, though, broke back soon after to level the scores at 2-2, before a double fault from Hantuchova enabled the No4 seed to take a 5-3 lead.

She served out for the set an broke her opponent again at 4-4 in the decider, serving out for an incredible victory. "I tried to stay calm but it wasn't easy, " Ivanovic said.

It was a continuation of Ivanovic's excellent recent form in the grand slam events. She reached the final of the French Open last year - beating Sharapova in the semi - and also the semi-finals at Wimbledon. She faces a stern challenge though if she is to claim her first grand-slam crown.