MIAMI, March 31 (UPI) -- Maria Sharapova rallied to defeat Andrea Petkovic Thursday and earn a shot at the championship in the Sony Ericsson Open.
Sharapova ousted Petkovic 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 and will face Victoria Azarenka in Saturday's title match. Azarenka had a surprisingly easy time defeating third-seeded Vera Zvonareva 6-0, 6-3.
Azarenka is seeded eighth in this tournament and Sharapova is 16th.
Sharapova won 11 straight games after dropping the opening set. Petkovic ran out of steam after pulling off the tournament's biggest surprise by defeating No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round.
Sharapova will be playing in her first championship match of the year. She was runner-up at this event in 2005 and 2006.
Azarenka reached the semifinals with a win over second-seeded Kim Clijsters. Azarenka and Sharapova have split their four career meetings.
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