Tennis > Australian Open0 Share Share TweetVIDEO- How Federer took down Berdych

Russia's Maria Sharapova gestures during her women's singles match against Serena Williams of the usa on day nine of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Fourth-seeded Radwanska, 26, beat Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3 to advance to her second Australian Open semi-final.

The American defending champion, seeded number one and chasing a 22nd Grand Slam title, saw off fifth seed Sharapova 6-4 6-1 at Melbourne Park.

Chris Evert claimed Serena Williams wanted to beat Maria Sharapova for "personal and professional reasons" after the world No 1 romped to her 18th consecutive win over her Russian rival, writes Neil McLeman in Melbourne.

The last time Sharapova beat Williams was in 2004 when she won the Wimbledon title.

But that approach is what has helped win her 21 major titles, and Williams's aggressive returns finally helped her convert on her fourth set point, following a heavy ground stroke to the net and putting away a volley.

"Physically I'm feeling a lot better and mentally I needed that break after the (US) Open", Williams said. "When I play better, when I'm forced to play better, I don't know, I do well", said the 34-year-old Williams.

Sharapova broke the American in the first game and mounted a stiff challenge in the opening set but wilted in the second.

World number one Serena Williams Tuesday said she was enjoying her tennis immensely and plans to keep playing into the 2017 season, proud of her longevity as others have fallen by the wayside.

There was real hope for Konta when she found some rhythm and clawed her way back to lead 5-4, but Kerber broke again at 5-5 and would lose just two more games. She makes you work, and that's inspiring.

"Playing someone like that you have to play with fire and intensity".

Radwanska, set to improve her ranking to world No. 3 after a run to the last four, said she would be grabbing the popcorn on Saturday night in anticipation of a great show. "I feel I am playing the best I can, and I can't believe I am in the final".

The four-time Australian champion 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 US Open.

"She took out a really tough opponent in Victoria", she said of Kerber's quarter-final ousting of two-time champion Victoria Azarenka.

Jo Durie, Britain's last female Grand Slam semi-finalist on Twitter: "Well done Angie she played good match". I think this will be a time to just get myself ready for a long year. I think she started unbelievably, with such a power and speed.

The only potential cloud on the horizon for Williams at this stage of the tournament is her health.

Williams put a lot of pressure on Sharapova for the break, eventually converting her 4th break point in the game to take the set 6-4.

Looking ahead to her semi-final with Radwanska, whom she leads 8-0 head-to-head, Williams said: "She got the better of me at Hopman Cup a year ago".