The former world number one, who returned from a three-year retirement last month, ousted top-seeded Sharapova 6-3, 6-1 to set up a final against second-seeded Elena Dementieva, who beat fellow Russian, Anastasia Myskina 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

“Yesterday when you asked me what I needed to do to beat Maria, I said I'd like to serve at 100% and make zero unforced errors," Hingis was quoted as saying by the WTA official website.

"I think I came pretty close to that because I served pretty good and only made a handful of mistakes."

25-year-old Hingis, who won the title in Tokyo on four previous occasions between 1997 and 2002, needed a single break in the first set and three in the second, to wrap up her one-hour, six-minutes victory over the Russian world number four.

"It was very competitive in the first set," said the Swiss star.

"I was lucky to break her in the eighth game and I hit an ace to take the set. I was very happy about that and I think that gave me a lot of confidence to go on to win the match."

Hingis, who is currently at 117 in the world rankings, is making a miraculous return to professional tennis as she reached the semifinals at the warm-up Gold Coast event last month followed by a quarterfinals appearance at the Australian Open where she also won the mixed doubles title.

“I think the secret to the success of my comeback was that I was able to recharge my body and mind," explained Hingis, who topped the world rankings when she was only 16.

"The difference between before and now is that I'm stronger mentally. Until today, I played like I had nothing to lose because there was nowhere to go but up, but now I'm gaining momentum and I know that the game is still in me."

Hingis, who is 28-3 in Tokyo, will be bidding for her 41st WTA singles title in the final on Sunday.