Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates her victory over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in their women's singles semi-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Bai Xue)

Fourth seed Maria Sharapova advanced into the 2012 Australian Open final here on Thursday and gave herself an opportunity to regain the world No.1 ranking after beating second-seeded Petra Kvitova 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

While Kvitova, who beat Russian Sharapova in last year's Wimbeldon final, was able to break back after Sharapova's first break of serve, the Czech was powerless to stop Sharapova from breaking her twice more to see out the first set 6-2.

However, Kvitova struck back in the second set, racing out to a 3-0 lead and then holding serve to tie the match score. She hit almost three-times the number of winners as her opponent did.

Though Kvitova carried her momentum into the third after she broke Sharapova, the former world number one broke back to level the score. Both women held serve until Sharapova capitalized on her 5-4 lead to break for the match and reach her third Australian Open final.

Kvitova wasted 11 break points while Sharapova took all her five.

"Sharapova played some break points very well," said Kvitova. "I could be more aggressive and more go for the winners and not only waiting."

"The victory meas so much to be back in a Grand Slam final, a stage I have been to before few years ago here. It's nice to get that far again after losing quite early in the last couple of years." said Sharapova. "To get back at the stage is special."

"I feel happy and excited that I still have a chance to play the sport and play it at this level and be in a Grand Slam final," added Sharapova.

Sharapova will now meet third seed Victoria Azarenka in the women's final on Saturday after the Belarusian beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 earlier.

Sharapova won champion in 2008 and was a runner-up in 2007. She can take the No.1 ranking if she beats Azarenka in Saturday's final. Danish Caroline Wozniacki, who has held the top ranking for most of the previous 15 months, lost in quarterfinals and will drop when the new ranking are released by WTA next Monday.

"For me, it's more about the Grand Slam win than the No.1 ranking." said Sharapova. "That's just always been the goal for me."