Sharapova and Azarenka to contest final
January 26, 2012 09:48:28 UK
Maria Sharapova will take on Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open final after both players came through gruelling semi-finals.
Sharapova, who is 2.30 to lift the trophy, defeated Petra Kvitova 6-3 3-6 6-4, while Azarenka, who can be backed at 1.66, defeated last year's champion Kim Clijsters 6-4 1-6 6-3.
Sometimes even when you're not playing your best tennis you can find a way to win.
Maria Sharapova
Sharapova avenged her 2011 Wimbledon final defeat to Kvitova in a tough encounter, but admitted she had not been at her best against the second seed.
"Sometimes even when you're not playing your best tennis you can find a way to win," said the Russian, who is bidding to win her fourth Grand Slam.
"No matter how good or bad you play you just try to win your point and that's what I tried to do."
Third seed Azarenka, who is yet to win a Grand Slam, was emotional after overcoming the defending champion, who has announced this will be her last year on tour, in a battle lasting over two hours.
"My God, I cannot believe it's over. I just want to cry," said the Belarusian.
"It was just trying to stay in the moment. Kim really took over the second set and I felt there was nothing I could do. I just tried to regroup."
Sharapova is 4.50 to win in three sets while Azarenka can be backed at 2.87 to win in two. The final will take place in the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
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