Maria Sharapova draws first blood by taking the opening set against Justine Henin-Hardenne in the women's semi-finals

But the Belgian former champion hits back to take the second before edging a tense decider to reach the final

It is agony for Sharapova, who loses her third straight Grand Slam semi-final - and second in a row in Melbourne

Meanwhile, men's semi-finalist Nicolas Kiefer relaxes with a barbecue on ther banks of the Yarra River

Rod Laver tells Roger Federer just how far the world number one will have to go to match his achievements...maybe

Kim Clijsters' injuries appear to be catching up with her during her semi-final against Amelie Mauresmo

US Open champion Clijsters is already struggling with existing injuries when she lands awkwardly on her ankle

Clijsters' retirement leaves Mauresmo celebrating her first Grand Slam final appearance since the 1999 Australian Open

In the men's semi-final, Argentina's David Nalbandian takes the first two sets off unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis

But 20-year-old Baghdatis refuses to wilt and hits back to level the match and send it into a deciding set

An enthralling final set sees Baghdatis come from 2-0 and 4-2 down to serve for the match at 5-4 before rain intervenes

The stoppage is brief and Baghdatis completes an amazing victory over the fourth seed, winning 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4