Maria Sharapova has targeted a second Australian Open title, having eased past Ekaterina Makarova to reach the final of the showpiece tournament.
The second seed will now come up against Serena Williams over the weekend, when she will look to match her achievements of 2008 and lift the Grand Slam crown.
A nervy start from Sharapova at the Rod Laver Arena was soon pushed aside as the Russian saved two break points in the opening game of the match, from which point she did not look back to record a 6-3 6-2 victory.
Asked how it felt to reach a second major final in the space of 12 months, she said: "I don't actually look at it that way. I treat each one as if I haven't gotten to a final.
"That's usually the mindset I have, the hunger I try to get when I go out on the court. But, yeah, I'm definitely proud that I'm able to get to that stage again.
"I'm definitely happy. Like today, I thought I played solid. I did everything I had to do and wasn't afraid for it to become a physical match. Those key moments are really important."
Elsewhere, Williams had to overcome fellow American Madison Keys to book her place in the final.
Daniel Lewis
