Dokic beats Martinez for spot in final

Dokic, who has reverted to Yugoslav nationality after playing as an Australian, said she felt the performance was her best outside Grand Slams.

"This is the best form and the most consistent I've been. I think I've matured a lot," Dokic, seeded 14, said.

The 18-year-old Yugoslav reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon two years ago and the semifinals last year.

On Saturday she took charge against four-times Rome champion Martinez, who also won Wimbledon in 1994, beating the Spaniard at her own game with a mixture of power and patience from the baseline and finesse at the net.

Watched by her volatile father Damir, who has been ejected from several tournaments for unruly behaviour and mother Liliana, Dokic broke in the seventh game of the first set, then recovered from 0-2 down in the second to win six games in a row.

"One of the tactics was to stay calm because she can drive you crazy sometimes with the way she plays," said Dokic.

Martinez likes to stay back and wear down her opponents from the baseline.

It was Dokic's first win over Martinez, 29, in six attempts. The pair are playing doubles together this week and are good friends despite the age gap.

"You have a different approach to it when you know a person but we have a good relationship in doubles so whoever won or lost today I think we'd still have been friends," Dokic said.

Dokic now meets Martina Hingis or Amelie Mauresmo who were playing in the second semifinal on Saturday.