The maradona star Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova for
the 18th time in a row to reach the Australian Open semi-finals. The American
defending champion, seeded number one and chasing a 22nd Grand Slam title, saw
off fifth seed Sharapova 6-4 6-1 at Melbourne Park.
It is 12 years since Williams lost to the Russian and the
world number one moves on to face fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the last
four. Serena an unbeatable champion with hidden skills; always ready to find
her way out of thrilling points.
Sharapova made it a real contest for almost an hour but
eventually buckled under the American's power and the second set was a
one-sided affair.
Williams, 34, appeared to struggle with her ball toss in the
morning sunshine on Rod Laver Arena as she fell 2-0 down and was not at her
best in the opening stages.
Williams needed attention from the tournament doctor at the
end of the first set
The intensity ratcheted up as the set progressed with both
players repeatedly yelling "Come on!" as they tried to grab the
initiative.
The world number one called for a brief visit from the
doctor at the changeover, but powered on stronger than ever in the second set,
making it 12 games out of 15 as she sealed victory after one hour and 32
minutes.
"When you're playing someone so great you have to come
out with a lot of fire and intensity.
"I've been playing this whole week aggressive and I
don't think I started out playing that way. At the start of the second set I
wanted to play the way I have been doing to get to the quarter-finals."
Sharapova said: "It's motivating because she's at a
different level. She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me,
but for many other players.
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