There was no room for emotion as Sharapova clinically ended Clijsters' final campaign at Melbourne Park to become the first Russian woman ever to reach the tournament decider in Australia.

 The 19-year-old pin-up has the chance to win her third Grand Slam title after hanging on against Clijsters, committing a flurry of unforced errors and double faults late in the match to offer her opponent a lifeline.

 "I saw these double faults come in at the wrong time but somehow I managed to fight through and make the first serve when I had to," she said.

 "I think that was the key and will also be the key in the finals."

 She joined the standing ovation for crowd favourite Clijsters, who is retiring at the end of the year to settle down

 "It's kind of sad, Kim's such a great role (model) and such a champion on and off the court, she's got a lot ahead of her in her off court life and I think we all wish her the best," she said.

 A downcast Clijsters said she was disappointed with her farewell performance at the Rod Laver Arena, where she lost the fnal in 2004.

 "Of course I'm going to miss it, it's been a pleasure playing here and coming to Australia, it doesn't matter if it's playing in Sydney or Hopman Cup here it's always fun," she said.

 "I'm sorry I couldn't come up with a better match today but I tried everything I had and I came up against a better player."

 However, the 23-year-old Clijsters said she would return as a spectator after marrying basketballer Brian Lynch later this year and settling down.

 "I'll definitely come back," she said. "I don't just love to play tennis, I love to watch tennis, it's a great sport and in a few years I'll be sitting in the stands with maybe some kids and stuff."

 Clijsters came out hard in the match and broke Sharapova in the third game, chasing down her returns ferociously and sliding across the hardcourt on a number of occasions to make the shot.

 Even Sharapova's trademark grunt was muted as she poured everything into overcoming her opponent and advancing to the final for the first time after falling twice at the semis in 2005 and 2006.

 Her father Yuri sat silent in the players' box after picking up 2,000 US dollar fine for coaching from the sidelines during Sharapova's quarter-final win over Anna Chakvetadze Wednesday.

 Sharapova mixed up her usual baseline game and found success attacking the net, breaking back in the fifth game 

 The pair exchanged breaks again but Clijsters' serve was misfiring, allowing Sharapova to go on the attack and score a decisive lead to take the first set 6-4 in 42 minutes.

 The Russian snatched another break early in the second set, running Clijsters around the court with her accurate placement and consolidating to go 3-0 up after taking six games in a row.

  The Russian opened the door for Clijsters mid-way through the set with a series of double faults that gave the Belgian a chance to break.

 But a desperate Clijsters was unable to take her chances and the Russian fired back to reach the final.

Agence France Presse