MELBOURNE, Jan 25: A quest to put things right after an Australian Open final thrashing at the hands of Serena Williams last year has inspired Maria Sharapova’s drive for this year’s title.

“From the beginning of the tournament, you want to go a step further than you’ve done in the past,” Sharapova told reporters after she dispatched Jelena Jankovic in the semi-finals.

“That’s always your goal, and your mantra going into a tournament, no matter where it is, no matter how small or big a tournament is.”

Ivanovic, who reached the French Open final at Roland Garros last year, said: “Maria has had a great tournament, and it’s going to be a tough match but we are two-all and I’ve beaten her before so I know a little bit what to expect.

“Obviously, I want to work a lot on my intensity from the first moment on, and it’s going to be fighting for each point,” Ivanovic stated.—Reuters