Tsonga dazzles as Sharapova and Ivanovic win

By Ossian Shine

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Built like a prize-fighter, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pummelled world number two Rafael Nadal into submission to reach the Australian Open final on a spectacular Thursday night at Melbourne Park.

Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic had wowed the day session, beating Jelena Jankovic and Daniela Hantuchova to set up a mouth-watering women's final, but the night belonged to unseeded Frenchman Tsonga.

In only his fifth grand slam tournament, the 38th-ranked Tsonga tore up the form book and sent Nadal shuddering to the exit 6-2 6-3 6-2.

"Just amazing... unbelievable... nothing could stop me today," the 22-year-old grinned. "I tried to hit everything and everything went in, so... what can I say?"

Frequently likened to a youthful Muhammad Ali for his poise and powerful build, Tsonga will need to stay grounded for three more days. He will meet either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

Serb Ivanovic staged a sensational fightback to reach the final where she will gun for a first grand slam title.

FIRST-SET WHITEWASH

The fourth seed recovered from a first-set whitewash to oust Hantuchova 0-6 6-3 6-4.