Serena storms into final waits for Sharapova/Clijters ….

Serena Williams has become the first unseeded woman to make the Australian Open final for eight years, ousting Czech No.10 seed Nicole Vaidisova in straight-sets on Rod Laver Arena.

Williams, the 2003 and 2005 champion, overcame a slow start to take a tight match 7-6(5) 6-4 and set up a final showdown with either Kim Clijsters or Maria Sharapova.

Vaidisova got a break in the opening game of the match, before Williams snatched it back in the sixth game. The Czech teenager then broke again and she served for the set in the tenth game.

But Williams rescued a set-point and took it to a tiebreaker, where she won the first four points. Vaidisova rallied to square it at 5-5, but cost herself the set with a forehand into the net when Williams had set point.
The first three games of the second set went against serve, before Williams held for a 3-1 lead. A crucial double fault in Vaidisova's next service game handed Williams another break, and she soon had a grip on a spot in the final with a 5-1 advantage. The Czech held her next service game, and then got a break back with sensational backhand winner which left the American flat-footed.

The brave 17-year-old then saved four match points in her next service game, getting the scoreline back to 4-5. She rescued another as Williams served for the match, before Williams finally sealed it with an overhead smash.