A VENCIERON JANKOVIĆ AND HANTUCHOVA
The Russian Maria Sharapova, fifth favorite, and Serb Ana Ivanovic, head of the fourth series, will dispute the final of the womens Australian Open tennis after overcoming the Serbian Jelena Jankovic, 6-3 and 6-1, and the Slovak Daniela Hantuchova, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4, respectively.
With the same great form in which beat the Belgian Justine Henin, the world number one, in the quarter, Sharapova
Jankovic defeated, although the Serb was unable to raise all the resistance that he would have liked because of some problems in the back and ended the last game party with tears.
Jankovic has had physical problems since the beginning of the season. During the Hopman Cup in Perth, the Sydney tournament and these two weeks in Melbourne. In the match against Sharapova, the Belgrade had to lie on the track to receive central massage on the back and even left the compound for a few minutes with the physiotherapist.
Ivanovic releases the racket after beating Hantuchova and qualify for the final. (Photo: AP)
With tears and feeling that I could not do anything to fix it, Jankovic surrendered the match in one hour and 18 minutes. Sharapova blows scored 33 winners, eight saques direct and ceded his serve only once. "I am very happy of my performance here," he said, "I hope that the defeat in the finals of last year help me now."
For the Russians will be his fourth final of a Grand Slam, after winning the first at Wimbledon in 2004, the United States Open in 2006 and losing in Melbourne last year before the American Serena Williams.
Ana Ivanovic was close to defeat, but pulled out forces weakness to defeat Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets. The Serbs lost by 6-0 and 2-0 before the Slovak, but in a superb reaction successfully overcome and beat his opponent in two hours and 10 minutes. It will be the second Grand Slam final for Ivanovic, who last year lost the Roland Garros before the Belgian Justine Henin.