( CNN ) -- It will be former world No . 1 against former world No . 1 when Maria Sharapova lines up against Caroline Wozniacki in the women 's final at Indian Wells on Sunday -- a tale of two careers that have headed in opposite directions . While Sharapova completed her recovery from longterm injury problems by completing her collection of grand slam titles at last year 's French Open , Wozniacki is still waiting for her first major crown as she battles to remain among the game 's top 10 . Sharapova returned to second in the rankings following Friday 's 6-4 6-3 semifinal victory over fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko , as another former No . 1 -- defending champion Victoria Azarenka -- slipped down after pulling out of her quarterfinal clash with Wozniacki due to an ankle injury . The Dane , meanwhile , battled into her third final in four years at the Californian hard-court tournament as she came from behind to overcome German fourth seed Angelique Kerber 2-6 6-4 7-5 . `` Maria is a great competitor and fights for every point , '' Wozniacki said of her next opponent , who she thrashed in the 2011 semis on the way to winning the title . `` She plays very aggressively and tries to take every ball on the rise and plays very flat -- it 's going to be very tough . '' Sharapova , who won the desert event in 2006 and was runnerup last year , has a 4-2 advantage over the world No . 10 and won both their encounters after that Indian Wells defeat . `` Caroline is dangerous when she has the opportunities to open up the court and runs you side to side , '' said the 25-year-old , who will be seeking her 28th WTA title while Wozniacki aims for a 21st . The 22-year-old will try to stifle Sharapova 's power game on a surface that suits her patient baseline approach . `` I really enjoy this tournament -- I think it shows , '' Wozniacki said . `` I think the court suits me very well . I like that it goes fast through the air but it 's a pretty slow court . `` It 's a game of chess out there -- if you play it here , you expect it here . 'Wait , is it short ? Okay , go in and attack . Is it deep ? You need to play deep back because you do n't want her to attack . ' `` It 's a game of finding out where is the toughest for the opponent to get to the ball . '' In the men 's tournament , Rafael Nadal has reached his fourth successive final since making his comeback from longterm injury after beating sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4 7-5 in the first of Saturday 's semifinals . `` It 's completely unexpected , '' said Nadal , who won two out of three clay events before heading to the U.S. `` To be in the final ... it 's a big surprise but I 'm here and I 'm very , very happy . '' The Spaniard will face Juan Martin del Potro , who eliminated World No 1 . Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 to end the Serb 's 22-match winning streak . `` He 's a big challenge for me also , '' del Potro told reporters of Nadal . `` He will want to win this tournament , for sure , and it 's going to be very interesting match . '' Djokovic had won 17 matches since the start of the year , which included his run to a fourth Australian Open crown and the ATP title in Dubai . `` It happens , '' Djokovic told reporters . `` All the credit to my opponent today . He deserved to win because he was more composed in the important moments and he played the right shots . `` He stepped into the court , where , on the other side , me , I made a lot of unforced errors and was at back of the court too passive . It 's sport . ''
Maria Sanchez will play fellow former world No . 1 Caroline Wozniacki in final . Sharapova beat fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in semifinal to reach title match again . Wozniacki , the defending winner , reaches final at Indian Wells for third time in four years . Rafael Nadal reaches final of men 's singles after beating Tomas Berdych on Saturday .