Maria Sharapova has advanced into the women's singles final of the Australian Open, after beating second seed Petra Kvitova in the last four.

The 24-year-old Russian needed more than two hours to knock out her Czech opponent. Sharapova wrapped up a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory.

"It means so much to be back in a Grand Slam final, a stage I have been to before few years ago here. It's nice to get that far again after losing quite early in the last couple of years,” the Russian said after the match.

“I played someone that's just had really great results and has beaten me the last couple of times. I just really wanted it today. Yeah and I fought to the last point, you know, she had so many opportunities in that third set, and I just hung on and just really went for it," she stressed.

In the decisive match Russia's top woman will play Victoria Azarenka, who reached her first ever Grand Slam final after beating defending champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium also in three sets – 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

The winner of the Final will become the World number one in the WTA rankings.

“Having been in the position before, doesn't really to me. I think personally, for me, it's more about the Grand Slam win than the No. 1 ranking. That's just always been the goal for me," Sharapova says.

In the men's side of things, Rafael Nadal beat archrival Roger Federer in four sets to become the first finalist.

World number one and defending Champion Novak Djokovic plays Andy Murray in the other semis on Friday.