Jelena Jankovic might be one of the few genuine friends Maria Sharapova has on the womens tour, however that didn’t stop the Russian slaughtering her former junior stablemate 6-3, 6-1 to waltz into the Australian Open final for a second straight year.

Sharapova wasn’t quite as sharp as Tuesdays quarter final demolition of world number one Justine Henin, but she was still in a another league. The 5th seed bombed her way to a 5-0 lead, before losing her way, conceding the next three games. Order was quickly restored, Sharapova looking every bit the champion in waiting.

Quarter final Interview with Maria Sharapova after defeating Justine Henin of Belgium earlier today, 6-4 6-0.

Video footage of the interview will be posted in the video section as soon as available.

Click on read more to read the interview.

Maria earned an efficient 6-4, 6-0 victory over Belgiums Justine Henin to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

The Russian flew out of the blocks, intimidating Henin with sublime ground strokes. While the fans at Rod Laver Arena were still finding their seats, Sharapova powered to 3-0 lead in just 9 minutes.

Henin slowly played her way back, eventually breaking back when down 3-5. The following game saw Henin save three set points. An extensive rally, perhaps the best of the women’s tournament to date, gave the Russian a fourth set point, with a superb Sharapova lunging backhand forcing Henin to dump a volley into the net.

In a few moments Maria Sharapova will be facing a formiable opponent in Justine Henin.  Henin is the undisputed #1 and is unbeaten since July of last year.  Maria has defeated Henin twice - the most memorable being at the final of the US Open in 2006 which Maria won in straight sets. They last played in the final of the WTA Championships in Madrid in November which Henin just won in a match that lasted well over 3 hours. Can Maria end Henin's unbeaten run?  Don't miss this match as it will be a thriller!

Maria set up a quarterfinal showdown at the Australian Open, making quick work of Elena Dementieva Sunday in sharp contrast to the long overnight session at Melbourne Park.

Sharapova, who has looked impressive throughout the tournament so far, demolished her 11th-seeded opponent 6-2, 6-0 in little over an hour on Vodafone Arena to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with world No1 Henin.