The top two women in the world reached the Indian Wells final Friday as Victoria Azarenka eased through in straight sets while Maria Sharapova advanced when her opponent retired with an injury. World number one Azarenka extended her season-long match win streak to 22-0 by beating German Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-3 in a semi-final match on centre court.
Russia's world number two Sharapova, who won the 2006 Indian Wells title, advanced to Sunday's final when a distraught Ana Ivanovic retired from the other semi-final with a hip injury. They meet in the first final involving the top two ranked women in the world since 2008, when No 1 Justine Henin played No 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova.
"She (Azarenka) is the one to beat right now and is playing some amazing tennis and is full of confidence," Sharapova said. "I hope I go out Sunday and just play some good tennis." Reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka has three titles already this year and has now reached the final of her last six tournaments. Friday's night matches on centre court were played in cool and windy conditions as forecasters are predicting rain showers on Saturday when the men are scheduled to play their semi-finals.
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