Williams within 1 win of 7th Australian Open title

The chirping intensified as Williams served in the sixth game of the second set, and she looked up angrily after her off-balance forehand from the baseline conceding her only service break of the match.

Maria Sharapova admits it is “back to the drawing board” after she lost to Serena Williams for the 18th time in a row at the Australian Open.

A key difference between the defending champions is that Williams beat the most-experienced and highest-ranked challenger in her half of the draw when she extended her streak to 18 consecutive wins against Maria Sharapova with a 6-4, 6-1 quarterfinal victory on Tuesday.

“She started playing really well in [the] second set, making great shots and hitting deep”, Williams said.

The victory puts Williams just one win away from matching Steffi Graf’s Open-era Grand Slam record of 22 titles, with Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 edging closer. “It’s the only tournament where if I lose early I still hang out”.

Her three major wins previous year, at the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon, left her only one short on 21.

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Djokovic held three match points in the next game and he clinched it in 2 hours, 19 minutes when Federer netted a backhand. Serena is getting at least 52 percent of her first serves in play and is winning no less than 73 percent of those points.

“Definitely I’ve played unbelievable the first two sets but that’s what is necessary against Roger”, Djokovic said.

Williams completely dominated the winners’ count 42-4 against Radwanska, whose record against the American now sits at a sorry 0-9. I know that she brings a lot, you know, to the game. Then I’m not sure. “Still very happy with the result, happy with my game, for all the matches here”, she said.

“I think if you’re serving maybe 180 (kph) against somebody else compared to Serena, that’s an ace”, said the 28-year-old. She’s trying to make things easier on herself this year.

He’s now the oldest man since 1979 (Colin Dibley) to reach the Australian Open semis, where he’ll play either five-time champion Novak Djokovic or No. 7 Kei Nishikori.

He came up with the big plays while facing break points in the first two sets, and only dropped serve in two exchanges of breaks in the third. I think that’s really important.

Williams seems as surprised as anyone by how well she’s playing.

The match echoed the Wimbledon women’s final of 2012, when Williams took the title, leaving Radwańska striving for a Grand Slam triumph ever since.

Kerber is in her first Major final appearance. I think she started unbelievably, with such a power and speed.

Both players struggled with their ball toss at one end, repeatedly practicing their toss to work out the best position to serve into the sun.

“When I was serving, everything is just going to your side with that kind of power, so deep that you can not do anything”.