Serena Williams downed Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-2 to reach the Qatar Open final on Saturday and will tackle defending champion Victoria Azarenka for the title.
Williams needed just 73 minutes to defeat Sharapova, five minutes fewer than it took top seeded Azarenka to beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 6-3 in her semi-final.
Williams, 31, is already assured of becoming the oldest world number one when the new rankings are released on Monday, taking the place of Australian Open champion Azarenka.
Azarenka, the only leading player in the world who remains unbeaten this year, impressively achieved her 13th successive win of 2013 on Saturday to carry her defence of the Qatar Open title into the final.
The top-seeded Belarussian did that with her win over Radwanska of Poland, a thumping result against the fourth best player in the world.
Azarenka successfully defended the Australian Open last month.
On this evidence she is the world’s best player right now, even though she will lose the world number one ranking to Serena Williams on Monday.
Azarenka’s bombarding ground strokes have more angles and more variety than they did, she is more willing to come to the net and more effective there, and mentally she is more solid.
Once ahead against Radwanska there was no suggestion that she might falter.
Asked what had brought such improvement, Azarenka replied: “I’ve grown up a little bit. It’s maturity and a little more experience”.
“The beginning of last year was a kick start for me to find more rhythm and step up my game. I also love it here in Doha and it feels like home, so I am glad I am in the final again.”