Serena Williams has beaten Maria Sharapova for the 18th consecutive time, a 6-4, 6-1 win that advances the defending champion to the semifinals of the Australian Open.
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The World No. 1 was seen by the tournament doctor twice and appeared to be given a fruit bar – her coach Patrick Mouratoglou told reporters she was dizzy; Williams said she’d suffered from food poisoning a “few days ago” – but even an under-the-weather Williams can win grand slams. “She’s an incredibly intense and focused player who was world number one”.
“He’s a great champion, I have a lot of respect for him and we’re going to have a good match”.
In the men’s category, Roger Federer advanced to his 39th Grand Slam semifinal, beating No. 6-ranked Tomas Berdych 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.
In men’s play Monday, Andy Murray moved to within two matches of the Australian Open final – and another chance for Melbourne Park redemption – when he beat local hope Bernard Tomic, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6, in the fourth round.
Williams has won every semifinal she’s contested at the Australian Open, and gone on to win the title each time.
Williams will next play Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-1, 6-3 in 1 hour, 21 minutes early in the day. It was a complete performance from Federer, like so many others the legend has put on at the tournament, and now he sits just two wins away from his fifth Australian Open title.
Back to the drawing board for Sharapova: Sharapova served a career-high 21 aces in the fourth round against Belinda Bencic but tallied just 3 aces, compounded with 7 double-faults on Tuesday. But Williams worked her way into the match in style, saving break points at 4-4 and winning seven games in a row at one stage.
It took Williams less than 20 minutes to jump out to a 4-love lead in the second set.
But Williams held in the third game, closing with an ace after it went to deuce, and then broke to level at 2-2.
“She’s been playing really well towards the end of the year, and already this year she’s been very consistent”, Williams said of the Pole, a friend off court.
After a lucky net cord helped her stay in the 10th game, Williams converted her fourth set point with a forehand volley.
“I was aggressive, had some variety in there”.
“I think longevity is something definitely to look at”, she said. He took an injury timeout following the second set and played with heavy strapping to his left leg for most of the third.
If Serena’s dominance over Radwanska continues – and Williams has never lost in an Australian Open semifinal – her most likely championship final would be against Victoria Azarenka, who is – brace yourself!
“She played quite explosive”, Sharapova said.
The world number one was far from his imperious best and struggled on serve but was content to allow his Japanese opponent to fall on his own sword with 54 unforced errors under the Rod Laver Arena floodlights.
Then, addressing the Federer match: “I’ve played Roger 44 times and Rafa [Nadal] 45…”
“She makes you work”.
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Williams, 34, has defeated Radwanska in all eight of their WTA meetings, with the pair not playing since 2013.
