Maria Sharapova reached the final of Australian Open 2008 with a 6-3, 6-1 demolition of third seed Jelena Jankovic in the semi final. The victory was every bit as comfortable for Sharapova as the score line shows. The Russian needed just over an hour to wrap up the match in straight sets. Jelena Jankovic had to struggle with injury in the match as well, which she suffered in every previous round match of the tournament.
Jelena Jankovic, however, could show some resistance while threatening to suffer a 6-0 bagle in the first set. From 5-0 down, Jankovic went on to win three games in a row including a service break which indicated a closing first set. However, Maria Sharapova did not give any more chance and sealed the first set winning the next game. In the second, it was all about Maria Sharapova, while Jelena Jankovic had to take treatment for her injury. Jankovic could not show her fighting spirit in the second set as Sharapova blew the Serbian off the court booking her place in the final of Australian Open for the second year in a row.
AFP reported:
"I'm realy happy I got through and I'm back in the final," said the 20-year-old, who is on a mission to make amends for last year's humiliating loss to Serena Williams.
"I had the experience going into last year's final and it didn't turn out too good.
"I'm just glad that I've been able to play such good tennis and I hope I can continue that for another match."
Maria Sharapova now has to face either Ana Ivanovic or Daniela Hantuchova in the final of the tournament. Maria Sharapova has been in an ominous from in the tournament having defeated world no. 1 Justine Henin in the quarter final. She has not lost any set in the tournament so far. However, Maria Sharapova was in the similar red-hot form last year before suffering a humiliating defeat to unseeded Serena Williams in straight sets in the final, ending her impressive run in the tournament. However, it was Sharapova who was full of errors in the match handling the match to Serena Williams. Now, let us see if the Maria Sharapova can win the Australian Open title this time around.
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