Henin-Hardenne won the Australian Open title in 2004

Sharapova edged a tense first set by grabbing the decisive break at 5-4 but Henin-Hardenne roared back.

The Belgian frustrated the hard-hitting Sharapova with her remarkable baseline coverage and easily levelled the match.

Henin-Hardenne faltered when serving at 5-3 in the decider but took victory in the next game with a backhand winner.

Beaten Sharapova turns on media

The 23-year-old will meet Amelie Mauresmo in the final - the French star sealing a berth after her last-four opponent Kim Clijsters retired because of an ankle injury.

Henin-Hardenne will look to repeat her title win in 2004 and, having missed last year's event through injury, she could take her winning streak in Melbourne to 14 matches.

"We played a great match. It's been very intense physically, especially in the first set and at the end of the match," said the four-times Grand Slam champion.

I think I played some great tennis after not even expecting to be here Maria Sharapova

"I am very happy with the way I played, very happy to be in the final again. It's a great atmosphere.

"Now I have to recover physically because it's been very hard after last year. She played a great match and I had to be 100% on each point and now it's time for me to rest before the big day on Saturday."

For Sharapova, it was the second year in a row she has been defeated in the last four in Melbourne.

The 18-year-old has also fallen in the semi-finals of her last three Grand Slam tournaments.

However, the Russian insisted she was happy just to have reached the last four after almost missing the event altogether with injury.

"I didn't come in prepared the best way I could have been," she said.

"But I think I played some great tennis after not even expecting to be here.