Eastern Europe flexed its tennis muscles yesterday as Serbian centre court sweetheart Ana Ivanovic joined the region's domination of the Australian Open.

Ivanovic yesterday outlasted American Venus Williams 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 to earn a showdown with Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova, who swamped young Pole Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-2.

The other semi-final will feature Serbian world No.3 Jelena Jankovic and 2007 finalist, Russian Maria Sharapova.

It is only the second time after last year’s French Open that two Serbs have reached a Grand Slam semi-final and the pair is on track to make history in a possible all-Serbian final.

Serbia's presence was heightened when men’s third seed Novak Djokovic stormed into the semis yesterday with a 6-0 6-3 7-5 win over Spain’s David Ferrer.

"I think people from eastern Europe are very, very determined to succeed," Ivanovic said.

"We are all big fighters and big competitors.

"It's great for our tennis, it’s becoming one of the major sports back home. Many kids are playing, it’s just amazing to have two or three of us playing the semi-finals.

"It's like a dream coming true."

With both Venus and Serena Williams out of the tournament, along with world No. 1 Justine Henin, Ivanovic recognises a potential changing of the guard, which she puts down to the globalisation of the sport.

"It's becoming like a global sport – there are also many girls from China coming up and it’s great to see new faces on the tour," she said.

Ivanovic again emphasised the importance her new fitness regime under Australian Scott Byrnes played in her rise to the top. The match represents a breakthrough for Ivanovic – her first win over Venus Williams in five encounters.

–AAP, Melbourne