Russia’s Maria Sharapova is through to her second consecutive Australian Open final after defeating third seed Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 6-1 in the semifinals on Thursday.
Ana Ivanovic advanced to the championship match later in the day by outlasting Daniela Hantuchova 0-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Compared to the quarterfinal dramas on Monday, tonight’s first semifinal seemed tamed and subdued. Although Maria played well, her level of intensity was much lower than what we saw against Henin. As for Jankovic, her multiple injuries and hours spent on court have finally started to catch up with her.
Hopefully now that her Melbourne pursuit is over, Jankovic will remember her New Year’s resolution and play a smarter tennis schedule in the upcoming months. At the rate she is going, her body could force her into an early retirement, not unlike the recently retired Kim Clijsters.
Sharapova will play Ana Ivanovic in the final match on Saturday. Ivanovic needed three sets, but defeated a nervous Daniela Hantuchova after 130 minutes of play in the second semifinal on Thursday. Hantuchova started the match by winning eight straight games, only to falter and surrender the win to Ivanovic.
The 2008 Australian Open women’s final will be aired live on ESPN2 at 9:30 pm ET on Friday, January 25.
