Maria Sharapova overcame some tricky wind conditions to advance to her fourth Australian Open final with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian compatriot Ekaterina Makarova.
The 2008 champion, whose last Melbourne Park final came three years ago, will now meet top seed Serena Williams, who needed nine match points to overcome a gutsy Madison Keys 7-6(5) 6-2 in the second semi-final.
Makaraova began strongly as Sharapova had trouble with her ball toss in the swirling wind, serving two double faults, and held two break points in an opening game that lasted 10 minutes before the five-time grand slam champion recovered.
The 27-year-old Sharapova immediately broke Makarova and then held to establish a 3-0 lead with the 10th seed yelling at herself as they went to the change of ends.
Makarova broke back break in the seventh game as Sharapova again had trouble with her ball toss, but the second seed put her foot down and won eight of the next nine points to clinch the set in 48 minutes.
Sharapova refused to let up in the second set, while Makarova faltered allowing her compatriot to dictate the points and Sharapova wrapped up her place in the final in 87 minutes.
“It’s so special,” the second seed said in a courtside interview.
“When you start off the tournament, you take it a match at the time and it was strange road, but I’m here and I’m pleased to be in the final.
“Obviously, Serena will be coming in as the favourite in that match but Madison has been playing some of the best tennis of her career.”
The confidence of overcoming two match points in a second round clash against Alexandra Panova has ultimately paid off for Sharapova as she advanced to her fourth Australian Open final.
In that second round match more than a week ago, the 28-year-old Russian realised she had no choice but to stand and deliver against Panova, banging off two forehand winners that kissed the tramlines to prolong her tournament.
Since that moment, the Russian has looked virtually unbeatable, none more evident than on Thursday.
“I thought I played solid,” said Sharapova. “I did everything I had to do. I wasn’t afraid for it to become a physical match.
“Those key moments are really important (and) yeah, definitely happy I was able to win really solid today.”