Sharapova delighted to return to Centre stage in the final

The 24-year-old was certainly not at her best in the semi-finals yesterday but she was still too strong for wild-card entry Sabine Lisicki, winning 6-4 6-3.

Sharapova looked to have the tennis world at her feet when she won the Wimbledon title in 2004 aged only 17, and she went on to lift the US Open trophy in 2006 and the Australian Open two years later.

But a serious shoulder injury put her on the sidelines later in 2008 and it has taken her until this year to really find her top form again.

The Russian said: “It’s been many years, but it’s a really great feeling. (Yesterday) wasn’t my best match of the Championships so I was real happy to get through in two sets. It’s pretty amazing to be back on that stage.

“I was pretty realistic. I hadn’t been past the fourth round in a few years. So to be at this stage, I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity to go for it.”

It was the thought of fulfilling her huge potential that kept Sharapova going during the many months on the sidelines, and she will be the hot favourite to beat first-time finalist Kvitova.

The fifth seed said: “I’m not really the type of person that ever gives up. Even though it was tough, I believed in myself. I always felt like I could be better, and that’s why I never had the interest of stopping. I always felt like I had a lot better things in me.”

Lisicki, a quarter-finalist two years ago before an ankle injury forced her to miss five months last year, was appearing in her first grand slam semi-final but it was Sharapova who started nervously and she quickly trailed 3-0.

Lisicki broke Sharapova when she served for victory, but she could not withstand a barrage of returns from the Russian in the next game and hit a forehand long on match point.

“She started really well,” said Sharapova. “The first three games she played very well and I did quite the opposite. She served a lot better and I was giving her way too many free points on my serve.

“And then I told myself to take it one point at a time and really focus. I felt like I just kind of got in my zone.”