Sharapova, Ivanovic duel in 'glam slam' - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sharapova, Ivanovic duel in 'glam slam'

By Guy Hand 26/01/2008 06:14:55 AM Comments (0)

Russian Maria Sharapova and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic's women's singles final at Melbourne Park has been dubbed the "glam slam".

For those so inclined, blonde bombshell Sharapova and the dark, sultry Ivanovic guarantee an ogle-fest on Rod Laver Arena.

Their performances here over the past fortnight also guarantee a clash between two in-form players in career-best touch who have stepped neatly over every hurdle in their paths so far.

Sharapova has not dropped a set en route to the final - her highlight a straight sets battering of world No.1 Justine Henin in the quarter-finals.

Comeback mum Lindsay Davenport and third seed Jelena Jankovic were also brutally dealt with by the 20-year-old, who appears in the sort of form that saw her top the world rankings three years ago.

Ivanovic began the championship as the fourth seed, but is guaranteed to finish it as the world No.2.

She has beaten Venus Williams and fought back from a set and a break down to beat ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova in a memorable semi-final.

Sharapova goes in a firm favourite to beat Ivanovic and avenge a weak loss in last year's final to Serena Williams - and she is not lacking confidence.

"I know what tennis I'm capable of producing, I've shown it before," she said.

"I've done it in my career already, I've won two grand slams, I've been No.1 in the world."

Ivanovic is the underdog for the final because she lost her only other grand slam playoff and seen as a risk on the big occasion.

She was beaten in last year's French Open final by Henin - and the Serbian admitted she had handled the final at Roland-Garros poorly.

"I was very emotional and I experienced a lot of things in that final," Ivanovic said.

"I was thinking 'Oh my God, maybe I can win a grand slam'. I started thinking more emotionally.

"I don't want to get emotional, I just want to focus on my game and what I have to do."

Australia will also have representatives in the boys' and girls' singles finals on Margaret Court Arena.

Rising 15-year-old Bernard Tomic takes on Taiwan's Tsung-Hua Yang, while West Australian Jessica Moore plays Dutch teen Arantxa Rus.

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