World number one, Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova for the 18th time in a row to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The defending champion, seeded
number one and chasing a 22nd Grand Slam title, saw off fifth seed Sharapova
6-4 6-1 at Melbourne Park.
Serena, who has not
lost to Sharapova in 12 years, now faces fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska.
Sharapova made it a real contest for
almost an hour but eventually buckled under the American's power.
Williams, 34, appeared to struggle
with her ball toss in the morning sunshine on Rod Laver Arena as she fell 2-0
down.
The intensity ratcheted up as the
set progressed, with both players repeatedly yelling "Come on!" as
they tried to grab the initiative.
Sharapova, 28, held on valiantly in
an eight-minute game to claw her way back to 4-4, but the pressure told in game
10 and Williams clinched the set at the fourth opportunity with a volley.
"It was super intense,"
said Williams. "She's an incredibly intense and focused player who was
world number one.
"When you're playing someone so
great you have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity."
Sharapova was equally effusive about
Williams. "She's at a different level. She makes you work. That's
inspiring."
Radwanska earlier beat Spanish 10th
seed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3 to reach her second Melbourne semi-final in
three years.
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