Serena Williams Whoops Maria Sharapova to Make Aussie Open Semifinals

“I’ll have to keep getting to the point where I have an opportunity to play against her, keep finding a way to turn that around”, she said.

The world No 1 will now face Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in the last four and stands two wins away from a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

“Tomas has caused me a lot of problems over the years, but it’s been a pleasure playing against him, he’s the type of player who makes you better”. It’s not necessarily anyone in particular.

The Serbian, who made 100 unforced errors in his fourth round match, looked back to his best as he coasted to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win, although he was broken twice in the third set. Asked what the secret was to her longevity, she replied: “I honestly have no idea”.

“But this is a new season, new Grand Slam; you’re starting over again”.

Serena Williams has never lost in the semifinals of the Australian Open. “I missed three or four easy shots”.

And on a fourth set point, the set was Williams’ in 55 minutes.

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. In their last 14 meetings she has won just one set. She was broken four times. I think his backhand is better than it was maybe five, six years ago.

“She’s a really nice girl”, Williams said.

“Bad luck Madison. She was injured and I’m very lucky today”, said Zhang. She cuts the ball early. She broke back to make it level pegging at 2-2 as the Russian’s serve faltered. That’s the reason I can’t get so many free points against her.? “I didn’t think I would have done as well as I have”, she told reporters. This dialed in version of Serena is going to be tough to beat. “I knew I had to be”. “Just tried to be focused”.

“So he’s playing some terrific tennis on the hard court”. The second was more competitive, with the No. 10 Spaniard stepping into the court often and maintaining pressure on her opponent.

The Pole beat Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3 in a battle of players who employ guile and spin rather than power. As hot as she has been, Radwanska is fortunate to still be alive in Melbourne. Each of the six previous times she has done it at Melbourne Park, she has won the title. I didn’t rest good. They have played eight times since 2008 Agnieszka has lost the lot, taking just one set along the way. In her past 25 matches, she has sported a healthy 22-3 record. “Regardless, whoever gets to the final it will be a great thing”. Publicly, she has let it be known that she does not mind another meeting with the 21-time Grand Slam champion. “When I play better, when I’m forced to play better, I don’t know, I do well”. “It will be a good match”.

“He’s been playing always consistently well”.

Williams then spoke of a different approach to her tennis this year. But back-to-back double faults gave Serena the break point to tie the game at 2-2.

A similar player-Roberta Vinci-ended Williams’ run at the 2015 US Open last summer with the calendar Grand Slam on the line.