LEAD: Sharapova, Kvitova ease into Melbourne semi-finals

Jan 25, 2012, 5:00 GMT

Melbourne - Petra Kvitova and Maria Sharapova on Wednesday set up a duel for Australian Open supremacy and a chance at the WTA top ranking as the seeded pair reached the semi-finals.

Czech second seed Kvitova and three-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova both swept through to the final four in straight sets.

Each could take the number one spot vacated by Caroline Wozniacki with her loss Tuesday, depending on their results for the rest of the Australian Open. Also in the race was third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

Kvitova reached her first Melbourne semi-final 6-4, 6-4 over Italian Sara Errani. Fourth seed Sharapova needed four match points to beat fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3.

'I lost to her the last time we played; it was a tough one at Wimbledon,' said Sharapova of the 2011 final at the All England Club. 'She is playing with full confidence now. It will be a tough match. That's what it comes down to.'

Kvitova recovered from 1-4 down in the second set to run out the victory over Errani.

'In the beginning, I was a little nervous because I knew that everybody expected it to be an easy match,' the Czech said. 'Sara played very well. She's had a great tournament here. It was not really an easy match.

'I had to wait for the time to go for winners. The mistakes were really lower in the second set. That was the key.'

Kvitova revealed she has been getting occasional text messages of support and strategy from former Czech great Martina Navratilova. 'It's nice to have the support of a legend,' the quiet champion said.