Serena Williams attacked Maria Sharapova's strength and it helped extend her complete domination of their rivalry, earning the six-time Australian Open champion a place in the semifinals.
Top-ranked Williams beat Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, her 18th consecutive victory and 19th in their 21 career meetings back to 2004.
"It was super intense," Williams said of the replay of last year's final.
"She's an incredibly intense, focused player who was No. 1 and has won so many Grand Slams for a reason.
You have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity."
Up next for her is fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat No. 10 Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3 to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the fifth time.
