Maria storms into Aussie Open final

Jelena Jankovic might be one of the few genuine friends Maria Sharapova has on the womens tour, however that didn’t stop the Russian slaughtering her former junior stablemate 6-3, 6-1 to waltz into the Australian Open final for a second straight year.

Sharapova wasn’t quite as sharp as Tuesdays quarter final demolition of world number one Justine Henin, but she was still in a another league. The 5th seed bombed her way to a 5-0 lead, before losing her way, conceding the next three games. Order was quickly restored, Sharapova looking every bit the champion in waiting.

The two-time slam champ will meet Ana Ivanovic in the final. Experience will be a no-contest for Maria, with neither prospective opponent ever tasting grand slam glory.

"I had a bit of a letdown, I was too good for my own level," Sharapova said of her first-set lapse. "But I'm really happy to get back in the final."