Ivanovic fightback seals final spot

After being outplayed in the opening eight games of the semi-final encounter, the Serb dug deep and battled back to complete what at one stage looked an unlikely comeback on the Rod Laver Arena.

A nervous start from Ivanovic saw Hantuchova claim a break in her opponents opening service game before the 24-year-old held serve and broke again to take a 3-0 lead.

Hantuchova held to increase that advantage and Ivanovic's uncertainty with her serve continued as the Slovak raced through the first set to take it 6-0

Hantuchova took a 2-0 lead in the second set before Ivanovic finally had some success, holding her serve to chalk up her first game of the match.

That appeared to boost the 20-year-old`s confidence and she broke Hantuchova's serve in the next game thanks to a fortuitous net-cord that kept a return in play before her opponent sent the ball long.

The next three games went with serve but, with the score at 4-3, Hantuchova double-faulted on break point to hand Ivanovic the upper hand for the first time and she held serve in the next game to take the set 6-3.

The decisive break in the final set came in the ninth game. Hantuchova found herself 0-30 down after a double fault and at 30-40, hit a return that looked long. Ivanovic challenged a corrected call but the replay showed the ball was in by the slenderest of margins.

The point was replayed and Ivanovic looked on the ropes as she stretched to make a return near the net but Hantuchova somehow hit a volley into the net with the court at her mercy.

That proved enough for Ivanovic, who then served out the match to set up a clash with Sharapova.