Off the wire
First joint Mekong patrol in 2016 begins  • Fire at homeless shelter kills 3, arson suspected  • Malaysian parliament kicks off debate on TPP  • Feature: China-Egypt cultural exchanges thrive, enhancing bilateral ties  • S. Korea's diesel car imports set record in Q4 despite Volkswagen scandal  • UN chief hails Security Council decision on Colombia peace process  • Tokyo stocks drop in morning session amid U.S. shares' retreat, falling oil prices  • Australian of the Year urges end to discrimination  • New Zealand government releases final TPP text as opposition mounts  • Nepal's Madhesi parties to continue protests even after amendment to new Constitution  
You are here:   Home

(Sports) Serena Williams wins 18th straight match against Maria Sharapova at Australian Open

Xinhua, January 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

World No. 1 Serena Williams has sent a strong message to the rest of the Australian Open field, brushing aside a challenge from 5th seed Maria Sharapova in little over an hour and a half when they met in their quarterfinal on Tuesday.

In what was their 21st meeting on the tour, Sharapova looked to break a string of 17 straight defeats to the American when she broke early in the match to take a 2-0 lead.

But Williams - a six-time Australian Open champion - fought hard to regain parity after the Russian secured the early break, then broke again on her way to taking a hard-fought, hour-long first set, 6-4.

The world No. 1 then found another gear in the second, cruising to the 6-4, 6-1 victory on the Rod Laver Arena.

After the win, Williams said the match was full of fight despite the lopsided scoreline.

"It was super intense. She is an incredibly intense, focused player," Williams said of Sharapova post-match.

"When you're playing someone like that you have to come out with your own fire and intensity."

The No. 1 seed said she was feeling fresh and healthy heading into her semi-final against Agnieszka Radwanksa on Thursday.

Williams added that she didn't feel any pressure on herself to win a seventh Australian Open title, but admitted a roadblock in Radwanska could shake things up, saying the No. 4 seed has one of the best defensive games on the tour.

"She is a great defender and I think it will be a great match. I'm going to do my best, I have nothing to lose," Williams said on Tuesday.

The pair will face off in Melbourne on Thursday. Enditem