Maria Sharapova believes she is ready to end her hoodoo against world number one Serena Williams when they meet in the Madrid Open final.
Sharapova, who surged into her first final in Madrid with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Ana Ivanovic, hasn't beaten Williams since 2004, losing 11 straight matches against the 15-time Grand Slam champion in that period.
However, with the number one ranking also for the taking should the Russian manage to win, she has taken encouragement from their last meeting in Miami earlier this year when Sharapova took the opening set.
Williams, however, boasts a 12-2 record against the Russian.
The defending champion earlier beat Sara Errani of Italy 7-5 6-2 to extend her overall winning record for the year to 30-2.
The fifth seed Rafael Nadal has beaten compatriot Pablo Andujar 6-0 6-4 to reach the men's final.
He'll meet Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka who defeated the CzechTomas Berdych 6-3 4-6 6-4 in the other semi final.
