Porsche Grand Prix

Sharapova sets up Ivanovic final in Stuttgart

ESPN staff

April 26, 2014

Maria Sharapova is seeking a third triumph © Getty Images

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Maria Sharapova is one win away from securing a third consecutive Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title after beating Sara Errani in straight sets to reach the final in Stuttgart.

Sharapova, whose place in the top 10 rankings is safe following her run to the semi-finals, brushed Errani aside to win 6-1 6-2 and extend her winning streak at the event to 12 matches.

Sharapova was clinical on the clay of the indoor area as the four-time major winner fired 30 winners past her Italian opponent and made nine unforced errors.

The Russian raced into a 3-0 lead by losing only two points. Errani made it 3-1, but Sharapova had the first set wrapped up after 26 minutes.

Sharapova broke to love at the start of the second set but immediately lost the advantage as Errani made it 1-1. However, Sharapova put the pressure on Errani in the third game to break for a second time following a forehand winner off her opponent's serve and moved into a 4-1 lead.

Errani recovered one of the breaks to make it 4-2, but would only win three more points as Sharapova closed out victory with two solid games to reach the final.

Sharapova will play Ana Ivanovic, looking for her third title of the year, who beat fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic 6-3 7-5.

Ivanovic earned her third match point when Jankovic slipped and fell. A return by Jankovic that went wide gave Ivanovic another match point which she clinched when her opponent sent another return into the net.

Ivanovic, a former world No.1 like Jankovic and Sharapova, now has a 9-3 career edge over her compatriot.