Aus Open: Serena Williams sets up dream final with Maria Sharapova

SydneySerena Williams battled past gallant Madison Keys Thursday to set up a dream Australian Open final between the top two seeds after archrival Maria Sharapova demolished Ekaterina MakarovaThe best two players in the world have a long history and the odds are stacked in Williams favour ahead of the Melbourne Park decider on Saturday with the American holding a major psychological advantage She has a 162 record against Sharapova with the Russian fivetime Grand Slam champion losing their every encounter since 2004Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova Pic AFPDespite the ominous statistic Sharapova has been in outstanding touch and blew away fellow Russian Makarova 63 62 on a blustery afternoon on Rod Laver Arena She is now in her fourth Australian final having won in 2008 Williams was made to work harder by rising American teen Keys who fought to the end saving eight match pointsCoached by former US great Lindsay Davenport Keys forced Williams to a first set tiebreak before her illustrious opponent took charge to win 76 75 62 Its really great to be in the final again I didnt come here with that expectation so its really exciting said WilliamsIn reaching the final at 33 she became the oldest player to make the Australian Open decider in the Open Era surpassing Chris Evert It also ensured that she keeps the number one ranking she has held for more than 100 weeks Sharapova could have claimed the accolade if she had won the title and Williams had failed to make the finalIn another warning sign for Sharapova her rival has won all five of the previous finals she has made in Melbourne Williams is now in her 23rd major final and has claimed 18 of them The Russian is undaunted and said her confidence was highI think my confidence should be pretty high going into a final of a Grand Slam no matter who Im facing and whether Ive had a terrible record to say the least against someone she said It doesnt matter I got there for a reason I belong in that spot I will do everything I can to get the title Generous praise She went into her match against Makarova with a 50 record and always looked in control despite intially struggling with her serve in the windy conditions But she soon found her groove and took charge to race home in 87 minutes The 27yearold said it felt special to make a ninth career Slam finalPlaying a fellow Russian and playing someone who maybe wasnt the favourite going into the semifinal I knew she would come out and play really well the reigning French Open champion said I was ready for that and stood my ground and competed wellGoing into Saturdays showdown Williams has the added incentive of needing one more Grand Slam title to go clear second on the alltime Open Era winners list and further cement her name in the history books She currently has 18 alongside Evert and Martina Navratilova and is four behind Steffi Grafs 22 Keys had beaten Williams sister Venus to reach the last four and revenge was on Serenas mind but the plucky 19yearold had other ideasDespite being in her firstever Slam semi she held her own and earned generous praise from Williams Shes obviously a great player shes going to be winning this tournament very soon and lots of other Grand Slams she saidThe first mens semifinal is played later Thursday with sixth seed Andy Murray having tenacious Czech Tomas Berdych standing between him and a fourth Australian Open final in six yearsWorld number one Novak Djokovic plays defending champion Stan Wawrinka in the other blockbuster semi on Friday The Serb top seed has won the Melbourne Park title four times