Chasing a seventh Melbourne Park crown, Williams twice required medical attention before crushing Sharapova 6-4 6-1 to reach her seventh Open semi.

Ominously, each time the American advances this far at this tournament she invariably wins it — just as she did in 2003, ‘05, ‘07, ‘09, ‘10 and last year..

Extending her record over world No. 5 Sharapova to 19 wins from 21 encounters, Williams jubilated in downing the Russian for the 18th successive time.
“It was super intense,” Williams said.

“She’s (Sharapova) an incredibly tense focus player.

“When you have to play somebody who’s that great you have to come out with a lot of intensity.

“I’ve been playing aggressive all week and after the first set I wanted to get back to playing that way in the second set.”

Williams, 34, did not immediately elaborate on her health after reaching her 30th grand slam semi-final.
She will face Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in Saturday’s final after the Polish fourth seed destroyed Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3.

It was the top seed Williams’ 13th straight sets margin over Sharapova in 14 clashes.

Packing too much firepower — 31 winners to 11 and 13 aces to three — Williams delivered a chilling reminder of her class and skill.


Serena Williams will next face Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in the final.

Shrieks of “C’mon” filled the air as Sharapova and then Williams extracted service breaks.

As usual, the contrast between the pair’s serving was vivid in an electric contest filled with tension.

Sharapova’s faculty of double faults was rivalled in an opposite sense by Williams’ ability to uncork massive serves.

Trailing 0-2, Williams reeled off three games in succession to have the Russian wallowing.

Impressively, Sharapova stemmed the tide with a crucial hold from 0-40 in the eighth game before holding two break points against Williams in the following game.

After a battle stretching almost eight minutes, Williams held serve before again turning the blowtorch on Sharapova.


Maria Sharapova was no match for Serena Williams again.

Preying on short serves, Williams created three set points on Sharapova’s nervous delivery but blundered with unforced forehand errors.

After 55 minutes, the world champion clinched the set with a volley winner — and then summoned the trainer.

Williams complained of feeling unwell but it didn’t affect her efficiency as she broke frazzled Sharapova’s serve twice before racing to a 5-0 lead.

Sharapova delayed the inevitable with a defiant hold in the sixth game.

Originally published as Williams destroys Sharapova to reach semis