The 30-year-old, a former US and French Open winner, is only ranked 19th in the world but shocked number one seed Serena Williams in the fourth round.

She continued that form with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky to set-up a final against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

She beat Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-2, 7-5 in the other semi-final.

Kuznetsova, winner on her last Miami final appearance in 2006, will return to the world's top 10 for the first time in six years if she takes the title.

"I don't think if I get to top 10 or not," she said.

"When I go and I see the rankings I am confident I can beat these players and players from the top 10."

Australia's Nick Kyrgios reached his first Masters Series semi-final with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Canada's Milos Raonic in the men's draw.

The 20-year-old is now guaranteed to become the youngest man in the world's top 20 for the last seven years. 

He will face sixth seed Kei Nishikori for a place in the final, after the Japanese player beat France's Gael Monfils 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.

Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic will face David Goffin in the other last-four clash after each won their respective quarter-finals yesterday.

Both men's semi-finals will take place tomorrow, with the women's final scheduled for Saturday (April 2).