Serena v Maria in grudge final
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova set up a grudge Australian Open final between the world's top two players Thursday, with the Russian desperate to break 10-year jinx against her arch-rival.
The 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.
Williams had to quell a determined challenge from unseeded fellow American Madison Keys, 19, to make her sixth Australian decider, while Sharapova crushed 10th seed Ekaterina Makarova in her all-Russian last four clash.
The result renews an intense rivalry between two of the great of the modern era, with 23 Grand Slams between them -- 18 for Williams and five for Sharapova.
The statistics heavily favour Williams, 33, who has a daunting 16-2 record over Sharapova, with the Russian failing to defeat her American rival for more than a decade.
"I'm excited. I love playing her. I look forward to it," said Williams, who will keep her world number one ranking simply by making the final, regardless of the result.
A win would take her Grand Slam tally to 19, overtaking Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on the all-time Open-era list to out her within striking distance of Steffi Graf's 22.
At 33, she said she had nothing to prove after a glittering career and was approaching the final relaxed and determined to have fun.
Williams has made the Australian Open final five times previously and won every time, including a 2007 victory over Sharapova.
She faced a tough workout against Keys, going down a break before surging home 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.
Sharapova was at her intense best demolishing Makarova 6-3, 6-2 to make the ninth major final of her career, overcoming her opponent's early resistance then ruthlessly pressing home her advantage.
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