( CNN ) -- In terms of age , just two years separate Australian Open finalists Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka . But in terms of what the two young women have achieved in their tennis careers so far , they are poles apart . Since bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old Wimbledon champion in 2004 , Sharapova 's model looks and three grand slam triumphs , combined with her rise and fall from the top of the world rankings , have kept her in the public eye . In contrast , the 22-year-old Azarenka is enjoying her finest run at one of tennis ' four major tournaments . Thursday 's 6-4 1-6 6-3 semifinal win over defending champion Kim Clijsters has put her within touching distance of a first grand slam title . To add extra spice to Saturday 's Melbourne showdown , both world No . 4 Sharapova and the third-ranked Azarenka can claim top spot with victory in the Rod Laver Arena showdown . How do you solve a problem like Maria ? Tennis ' battle with the grunters . `` It means so much to be back in a grand slam final , '' Sharapova told reporters after beating No . 2 Petra Kvitova . `` It 's nice to get this far here at the Australian Open again after losing quite early the last couple of years . '' The 2008 champion secured her place in the title match with a 6-2 3-6 6-4 win over Kvitova , the 21-year-old Czech rising star who defeated Sharapova in the Wimbledon final last July and also had hopes of replacing Caroline Wozniacki at the rankings summit . For Sharapova , the U.S. Open champion in 2006 , becoming world No . 1 again would crown a renaissance which has seen her overcome a recurring shoulder injury which first struck five years ago . It forced her to miss nearly 10 months of action between May 2008 and March 2009 . But despite her struggle , Sharapova insisted that winning a second Australian Open is her sole motivation . `` I do n't regret anything that has happened -- obviously it would have been nice not to have a serious injury at 21 years old , but sometimes it 's just the way things go . The good thing is I found a way to come back . `` It 's more about the grand slam win than the ranking . Having been in that position before , it does n't really add anything for me . '' While Sharapova is working her way back to the pinnacle of the sport , Azarenka is riding as high as she 's ever been in the world rankings . Her best run at a grand slam prior to this tournament was a semifinal appearance at Wimbledon last year , where she was beaten by Kvitova . `` I really wanted it bad , '' Azarenka said . `` There were a lot of ups and downs , but in a good way . '' Azarenka dug deep after being pummeled by former world No . 1 and four-time grand slam winner Clijsters in the second set , earning a crucial break in the eighth game of the decider to propel her to success . `` She was coming up with some incredible shots and I was really going for it . It was important to get that 5-3 lead and keep putting pressure on , '' Azarenka said . `` It was difficult to get back in the match , to keep fighting and to keep going , but that 's what it 's all about . And I was really , really happy to win the match . '' The victory continued Azarenka 's impressive early-season form -- she has now won all 11 matches in 2012 . `` There 's a difference between saying it and feeling it , '' she said of the effect her form is having on her confidence . `` You really have to trust . You really have to feel it . `` You ca n't just say you believe you 're going to do it , you have to work your way through it and always try to make that extra during practice , because it 's not coming in one day . '' While Azarenka has no experience of a grand slam final , Sharapova will be playing in her sixth . She has won three and lost two -- including a defeat to American Serena Williams in the 2007 Australian Open . It is impossible to split the pair in the head-to-read statistics , with both players having won three of their six encounters . Sharapova won their most recent match in Rome in May , on her way to overall victory at the clay-court event , when Azarenka was forced to retire in the second set . However , the Belorussian had the honors when they met in the final of the Miami Masters in April .
Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will contest Saturday 's Australian Open final . Russian fourth seed Sharapova beat Czech No . 2 Petra Kvitova 6-2 3-6 6-4 . No . 3 Azarenka reached her first grand slam final with win over champion Kim Clijsters . Three-time grand slam Sharapova won their most recent meeting in May 2011 .