Sharapova sent crashing by Ivanovic

Serbian to face top-seed Serena Williams in Cincinnati final after beating French Open champion in three sets.

Ivanovic has lost six of the seven matches against Serena [EPA]

Ana Ivanovic shocked French Open champion Maria Sharapova to reach the final of the Cincinnati Open where she will face top-ranked Serena Williams.

Although Williams has dominated Ivanovic her entire career – having taken six of seven matches versus Ivanovic – the American was beaten in the round-of-16 at this year’s Australian Open.

Ivanovic, seeking her fourth title this year, looked headed for sure victory after breezing through the first set and then opening up a 4-0 edge in the second for what seemed like an insurmountable lead, winning 6-2, 5-7, 7-5.

“I really got a little tight,” Ivanovic said about her second set meltdown. “I wasn’t moving my feet forward enough and played a little passive. But she’s a champion and was fighting so well. I just had to regroup in the third set, and I’m so glad I could win this match tonight.”

Williams, meanwhile, rallied past Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, overcoming a a sluggish start to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The Cincinnati tournament is the last of the key tune-ups ahead of the US Open where Williams will defend her crown.

“I got off to a little bit of a slow start, but I was definitely in it,” said Williams, who lost the 2013 Cincinnati title in a third set tie-break to Victoria Azarenka. “I was just physically grinding and trying to get in there and really just trying to grind out everything.”

Source: Reuters