Serena Williams zones in on 22nd Grand Slam title after Australian Open quarter-final win
SERENA WILLIAMS is through to yet another Grand Slam semi-final after swatting aside Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open.
Serena Williams pumps her fist after winning a point
The World number one had beaten Sharapova in their last 17 encounters.
Williams made a tentative start, but Sharapova’s serve proved to be her own downfall.
Six double faults cost the Russian as Williams soon found her range.
After closing out the opener, Williams raced into a 5-0 lead in the second.
Although Sharapova pulled a game back, Williams took the match with a forehand volley down the line.
Maria Sharapova waves to the crowd after her quarter-final defeat
“It was super intense," says 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.
"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."
Williams will now meet Agnieszka Radwanska in the last four.