"It definitely was a disappointing start for me," the relieved 20-year-old smiled.

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic drops her racket as she celebrates winning her semi-final match against Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 24, 2008. [Agencies] "I just had a feeling she was playing really good and I was always on the back foot and always defending. I just couldn't find my rhythm. I tried to hang in there to stay with her."

Hantuchova left court having barely congratulated her conqueror and later accused the Serb of gamesmanship for squeaking her shoes on the court when receiving serve.

Ivanovic swept aside the accusation.

"There was nothing I could do, because if I want to move my feet to return a ball, you know, this was the sound I was producing," she told reporters.

Sharapova reached Saturday's showpiece in vastly contrasting style, hammering Serb Jankovic 6-3 6-1.

The Russian followed on from her quarter-final thrashing of world number one Justine Henin with a devastating display against the third seed.

Pounding groundstrokes into the corners and blasting serves down, she never allowed the Serb to settle on Rod Laver Arena.

Jankovic, struggling with a lower back injury, was unable to keep up or even compete as she was left watching shots fly past her.

"I wanted to withdraw, but it was not fair for the crowd. It's a semi-final, so I played how much I could to finish the match," Jankovic said.

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