Maria Sharapova will meet Australian Samantha Stosur in the Italian Open final after beating world number one Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-3 on Saturday.
The seventh-seeded Russian, who has reached her first final this year, broke the Dane's serve in the second game of the first set before holding at 6-5 after four breaks in a row.
Wozniacki, who has won three titles this year, fought back to go 3-1 up in the second but Sharapova, a three-time grand slam winner before a shoulder injury kept her out the game, confirmed her return to form ahead of the French Open as she reeled off five games in a row against the 20 year old.
Sixth seed Stosur overpowered China's fourth-seeded Li Na 7-6 6-0 to reach her first final since last year's French Open.
The seventh-seeded Russian, who has reached her first final this year, broke the Dane's serve in the second game of the first set before holding at 6-5 after four breaks in a row.
Wozniacki, who has won three titles this year, fought back to go 3-1 up in the second but Sharapova, a three-time grand slam winner before a shoulder injury kept her out the game, confirmed her return to form ahead of the French Open as she reeled off five games in a row against the 20 year old.
