MARIA IS GOIN TO THE FINAL

MARIA HEADING TO THE FINALE OF AUSSIE OPEN

Maria is through to her 4th Grand Slam final at the Australian Open after she defeated #3 seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in 1 hour and 18 minutes.

There was a short delay as the roof had to be closed due to some rain falling but Maria started the 1st set brilliantly as she raced to a 5-0 lead hitting 13 winners. Jankovic started to work her way back into the match as she took the next 3 games but Maria remained calm under pressure as she took the set on a pounding crosscourt forehand. Maria won the set 6-3 in 42 minutes and hit 20 winners to 15 unforced errors.

Maria got an early break in the 2nd set and then play was halted as Jankovic receied an injury time-out for a back strain. Maria then took the next 3 games to lead 4-0 and then won the set and match when Jankovic hit a backhand wide. Maria won it 6-1 in 36 minutes.

In the final Maria will play #4 seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia who defeated #9 seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia. Maria has played Ivanovic 4 times before and the series is tied 2-2. Maria won the last meeting in Madrid at the end of last year.

The final will be played at 13.30 Melbourne time on Saturday afternoon which is 3.30CET. In the US the final will be played on Friday evening at 21.30ET and 18.30PT.

Good Luck Maria!