Henin, Sharapova to play for title

It was also Sharapova’s fourth straight win after an injured shoulder had limited her to a single victory since August 31.

She will next play defending champion Justine Henin, who defeated No 4 Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-4. The top-ranked Henin won her 24th straight match in a French Open final rematch against Ivanovic on Saturday.

Chakvetadze, who has won a career-best four titles this year, had an early break chance in the second game but then hit two shots long as Sharapova held.

“I definitely felt a little bit off to start, especially with my rhythm in the first two games, but I came through a couple of break points and that gave me confidence,” Sharapova said.

Sharapova, who dropped out of the top five for the first time in three years after winning a career-low one singles title this year, then got a break in the third game when her opponent double-faulted.

She broke again in the fifth, and then served out for the set after Chakvetadze sent a forehand into the net after a long rally. Sharapova, who won 27 of 32 first service points, broke twice to take a 3-0 lead in the second, and then saved a double-break chance in the sixth with a forehand smash.

Sharapova, who beat Ivanovic in straight sets Friday in group play, can regain a top-five ranking with a win Sunday’s final. “After that match yesterday, I just thought to myself that four weeks ago you were really doubting yourself, so to be here is really great and to be in the final is even better,” she said.