Maria Sharapova will face Agnieszka Radwanska in the Sony Ericsson Open final after defeating Caroline Wozniacki in three sets on Thursday.
Sharapova, who has reached the final on three previous occasions only to finish as runner-up each time, is 4/6 with bookmaker to win the tournament this time around.
The second seed battled back from a set down to win 4-6 6-2 6-4 in over two and a half hours and was delighted to have made it through a demanding match.
“I started out well and then I just had a concentration drop but I am happy I pulled it through,” she said.
“I went out there and started being aggressive. I didn’t stop after I put myself in a good position. I’m extremely pleased that I pulled it out today.”
In the other semi-final, Radwanska saw off the challenge of Marion Bartoli, who had ended Victoria Azarenka’s 26-match unbeaten run in the quarter-finals. Radwanska, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, won through 6-4 6-2.