Second-seeded Sharapova, a three-time runner-up at the Miami event, battled back from a set down to triumph 4-6 6-2 6-4, however opponent Wozniacki could find herself in hot water after refusing to shake hands with the chair umpire at the end of the match.

Sharapova clinched the two-hour 34 minute battle on the second match point, but she needed the umpire to overrule a call after her serve was initially called long.

Umpire Kader Nouni disagreed, saying it was on the line, and although the television video replay backed up Nouni the decision incensed Wozniacki.

Sharapova stepped up for her second serve then worked her way into position so she could eventually hit an easy forehand smash at the net for the winner.

She had a point for a 5-1 lead in the opening set but Wozniacki clawed her way back, winning five games in a row to pinch the set.

Controversy

Sharapova raced into a 4-0 lead in the second as she continued to with a more aggressive game, and this time she there was no comeback from the former world number one.

After taking the match into a third set, Sharapova broke Wozniacki in the seventh game of the decider to make it 5-2.

Trailing 30-40, Wozniacki attempted a forehand drop-shot that landed just short giving Sharapova the break and allowing her to serve for the match, which, after much controversy, she did.

"I started out well and then I just had a concentration drop but I am happy I pulled it through," said Sharapova, who hit 55 winners with 46 unforced errors in direct contrast to her opponent, who made only 13 winners with 25 errors.

"I went out there and started being aggressive. I didn't stop after I put myself in a good position. I'm extremely pleased that I pulled it out today."

Sharapova will face fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the final after the Pole beat Marion Bartoli 6-4 6-2 in the second semi on Thursday.

French seventh seed Bartoli could not repeat the heroics of her semi-final victory over world number one Victoria Azarenka, whose 26-match winning run she ended on Wednesday.