Lindsay Davenport had virtually given up hope of making another Grand Slam final when she limped out of last year's US Open.
The 28-year-old American had not reached a final since New York in 2000 and had been plagued by injuries for years.
With the arrival of a new crop of younger players, all the signs were that Davenport's body had suffered enough. Finishing the season on top of the world rankings convinced her to play on, however.
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She has had to do it the hard way, beating Alicia Molik then Nathalie Dechy in three tight sets but the easy-going Californian is not complaining.
"This whole tournament has been such an awkward and different experience," she said. "I feel like I'm not playing that well, I'm struggling through all these matches, and I'm in the final."
"There's no way you can possibly prepare for what happens in grand slam tennis any more."
Davenport, who is also through to the doubles final, has not escaped injury this time either. She had her left thigh heavily strapped and has a problem with her hip but neither is serious.
"I feel pretty tight all over but it's definitely not injured like the US Open. It's definitely a little stiff, but it's not injured," she said.
Davenport's biggest concern is her form. She fought back from a mid-match slump to hold off Molik 6-4, 4-6, 9-7 in the quarter-finals then recovered from a terrible start to beat Dechy 2-6, 7-6, 6-4 in Thursday's semis.
"I was fortunate to come through both of them but sometimes they fall your way, sometimes they don't," Davenport said.
"My game's obviously there. It's just a little bit off from where I'd ideally want it to be. I don't think it's far away.
"Saturday [the final], I look at as a big opportunity against a player with tons of experience. I'm going to have to play really well and hopefully that inspires me to loosen up and hit some better shots."
Davenport, who won the last of her three Grand Slam titles at Melbourne five years ago, said the excitement of playing in another final overrode any disappointment she was feeling about her game and she was determined to enjoy the experience.
"I was pretty despondent about the chances of getting back to a final... I'm ecstatic to be back."
