But in tennis, it's all about who wins the last point and for the 18th straight time in their meetings, it was Williams who was the much happier at the handshake.
Williams moved into the semifinals with a 6-4 6-1 win over Sharapova on Australia Day and given she is similarly dominant against her next foe, Agnieszka Radwanska, there's little to suggest her tournament will come to an end Thursday.
The World No. 1 was seen by the tournament doctor twice and appeared to be given a fruit bar -- her coach Patrick Mouratoglou told reporters she was dizzy -- but even an under-the-weather Williams can win grand slams.
The World No. 1 was seen by the tournament doctor twice and appeared to be given a fruit bar -- her coach Patrick Mouratoglou told reporters she was dizzy -- but even an under-the-weather Williams can win grand slams.
Remember last year's French Open? Williams triumphed despite being sick for most of the second week.
Indeed, the way Williams dispatched a surely crestfallen Sharapova, all signs point to the American landing in Saturday's finale, and perhaps against the surging Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova hadn't beaten Williams since 2004 but taking a 2-0 lead on a sunny day with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius must have given fans of the world's richest female athlete hope.
Indeed, the way Williams dispatched a surely crestfallen Sharapova, all signs point to the American landing in Saturday's finale, and perhaps against the surging Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova hadn't beaten Williams since 2004 but taking a 2-0 lead on a sunny day with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius must have given fans of the world's richest female athlete hope.
Williams woke up, however, and sent Sharapova into a temporary tailspin with a crushing return in the fourth game, later breaking for 2-2.
