Serena Williams dominates Maria Sharapova for Australian Open semifinal berth

Many are saying that if Sharapova serves that well against the World No. 1, she will have an excellent chance of finally beating Williams.

“When you’re playing someone like that… you have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity”, Williams said courtside.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer reacts during his quarter-final match against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 26, 2016.

Serena Williams’ domination of the most one-sided rivalry in tennis continued as the American hammered Maria Sharapova to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.

Federer, a four-time Australian Open titlist, booked a spot in the quarterfinals with a straight-set win against 15th seed David Goffin of Belgium in the fourth round.

Sharapova has won five majors, including the 2008 Australian title, and has been in three other finals at Melbourne Park.

The world number one will now face Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in the last four and stands two wins away from a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title.

Williams began to dominate proceedings with her power starting to prove too much for her opponent, and she claimed the first set 6-4.

Serena Williams, left, and Maria Sharapova meet in Tuesday’s Australian Open quarterfinals.

In her fourth-round victory against No. 12 Belinda Bencic, she had a career-high 21 aces.

This time around, Radwanska broke to lead 2-0 but this triggered a string of service breaks.

Williams, seeking her seventh title here, broke fifth-seeded Sharapova’s serve and clinched an entertaining first set on her fourth set points.

She mucked up three set points, twice thundering a return into the net.

The world No. 1 was pushed hard in the first set but then Williams easily overcame her old Russian rival in the second to win their quarter-final 6-4 6-1.

“To be honest, when I woke up I felt quite drained, quite exhausted”, he said. “I know her style, you have to run a lot…” the Spanish player said.

The 34-year-old Federer used a full array of shots, including some vintage backhands, in his 48 winners, to avenge two losses to Berdych at Wimbledon in 2010 and the 2012 U.S. Open.

“(Radwanska) is a great defender and I think it will be a great match. The American will play Agniezska Radwanska in the semifinal. Djokovic played four hours and 32 minutes, but the five-time Grand Slam champion is confident he will be physically ready against Nishikori. “You know, I feel exhausted”, Suarez Navarro said after the match. “It’s tough to sit here 30 minutes after the match and talk about the match, but that’s part of my job”, she said.

Going into Tuesday’s match on Rod Laver Arena, Williams had led the head-to-head 18-2, with the Russian’s last victory coming in 2004.

“The good thing about Grand Slams is that you have a day off in between, which gives you enough time”, Djokovic said in a press conference.

Williams has played Radwanska eight times-and never lost.