Sharapova books final berth against Ivanovic

STUTTGART, Germany: Maria Sharapova remains on course for a third straight Stuttgart title after thrashing Italian Sara Errani in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix semi-finals.

The Russian, seeded sixth, won 6-1 6-2 in 59 minutes to claim her 12th consecutive victory at the tournament.

Sharapova, who missed four months last year following shoulder surgery, is trying to win her 30th WTA title.

Ninth seed Ana Ivanovic beat fellow Serb and fifth seed Jelena Jankovic 6-3 7-5 in the second semi-final.

Sharapova leads Ivanovic 7-2 in career meetings, with the Russian having won twice last year on clay in the Stuttgart quarter-finals and Madrid semi-finals.