Related: Dementieva beats Henin to set up final match versus Sharapova

    WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Maria Sharapova defeated Martina Hingis Friday to reach the final of the 5.29-million-US dollar Indian Wells Masters.

Maria Sharapova of Russia stretches to return a shot to Martina Hingis of Switzerland in the semifinals of the Pacific Life Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. (Xinhua/Reteurs)

    Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, meets top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne or Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva in Saturday's final.

    Sharapova ousted the Swiss queen 6-3, 6-3. The match was riddled with nine breaks of serve, with Sharapova proving to be a match for the crafty all-court game of the 32nd-ranked Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam champion whose love for the sport drew her back at the start of the year.

    Sharapova took a 5-1 lead in the opening set through two breaks,but lost her own serve once before claiming the set. The pattern was repeated in the second with three breaks in a row before Sharapova held for 4-1. Hingis broke back in the seventh game, with her Russian opponent taking treatment on her left foot beforea final break to seal the win.

    Sharapova said she would prefer to play Henin-Hardenne, the 2004 champion, for the trophy. Enditem