Moreover, Radwanska enters this semi-final clash riding a 12-match winning streak, that extends back to her winning the WTA Finals Singapore at the end of last season, as well as the Shenzhen Open tournament at the beginning of the new year. You don't need to spend words on his achievements - he is a great champion and someone I have a lot of respect for.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion handed No. 6 Tomas Berdych a 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 beating to advance to the Australian Open semifinals for the 12th time in the past 13 years.

The victory puts her 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.

Sharapova came out firing to start, taking an early 2-0 lead on Australia Day, 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.

Three out of Sharapova's last five major tournaments have now been ended at the hands of the world number one, who goes through in Melbourne to face Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the semi-finals. Radwanska is in great form, dominating No. 10 Carla Suarez Navarro in their quarterfinals match 6-1, 6-3.

The Australian Open is still well underway and yesterday saw Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-1.

From there, Williams protected her own serve - even as a baby wailed in the stands in the ninth game as she faced breakpoints - and took high-risk options with her service returns to unsettle Sharapova.

Williams broke for a second time to take the first set in 55 minutes but only after the top seed had mucked up three set points, twice thundering returns into the net.

The American has now won 16 consecutive sets against five-time Grand Slam victor Sharapova - and came within a game of a humiliating second-set bagel on Tuesday.

Radwanska then broke the American to huge roars with a forehand error hauling her level at 3-3.

The Serbian has usurped his fiercest rival at the top of men's tennis but Federer, now 34, has enjoyed a renaissance, producing some of his best form in recent months and reaching two grand slam finals a year ago.

"Plus, when I play her, I know automatically I have to step up my game, I think that makes me play better". "Keep getting to the point where I have an opportunity to play against her. I still have to win two matches against potentially two extremely tough opponents", she said.

"She played quite explosive", Sharapova, 28, told reporters after the loss. She makes you work, and that's inspiring.

The duo are good friends and Williams is expecting the tie to be played in good nature.

Despite yet another defeat, Sharapova insisted it kept her motivated to keep improving.

He will now play against Novak Djokovic, a 5-time victor of the match. I think that's really important. "It will be a good match", Williams predicted.

"It's not a stat that's set in stone - I still have to win two matches", Williams said.