Punters pulling for Ivanovic in Aussie Open final

MELBOURNE: Australian Open finalist Ana Ivanovic can count on at least one advantage over Maria Sharapova when she steps on court for Saturday's big match -- support from an adoring Melbourne Park crowd.   

Australian fans boosted by Ivanovic's Melbourne-based relatives and a large expatriate Serb community have taken the 20-year-old to their hearts at the season-opening Grand Slam, cheering on her stirring wins to reach the final.   

While spectators Down Under have never warmed to Russian ice princess Sharapova, Ivanovic has credited the buzz generated by her vocal supporters with getting her over the line at least twice at this year's tournament.   

She dedicated her battling win over Venus Williams in the quarters to the crowd and then again thanked her supporters after coming from eight games down to beat Daniela Hantuchova in the semis.   

"If it wasn't for you guys I would be already booking my flight back home," she told the fans after downing Hantuchova.   

In the absence this year of Kim Clijsters -- once dubbed "Aussie Kim" by besotted locals -- Ivanovic has been adopted as the new darling of Melbourne Park.   

Sharapova, on the other hand, provokes a different crowd reaction, with fans cheering on her opponents even as they gasp and clap politely at the Russian's powerful shot-making.   

Melbourne Park spectators put Sharapova's unpopularity down to her prickly demeanour, her infamous grunt and the antics of her father Yuri, who made a throat-slitting gesture when his daughter beat Justine Henin.   

"I think Ivanovic's a little bit more friendly, that's for sure," Patrick Zellweger said.   

Zellweger said the crowd could be a major factor in a tight match.   

"If it goes to three sets and it's 4-4 or 5-5 then it could realy make a difference," he said.   

Melbourne-based Anastasia Gray said she was a Sharapova fan but did not advertise the fact too loudly.   

"She's got such great power and looked awesome against Justine," she said.   

"I know her dad's a bit of an idiot but that shouldn't be put on her.   

"To me, she's a bit like Lleyton Hewitt, they really get on your nerves but you still want them to win."   

Serb expatriate Radisav Bozovic said Ivanovic's bubbly personality and compatriot Novak Djokovic's antics had helped improve his country's image in Australia, where perceptions are still tinged by conflicts arising from the break-up of Yugoslavia.   

"She has a beautiful personality and maybe Sharapova cheats with the grunt," he said.   

"But they're both glamour girls, so it will be a good match to watch."