Defending champion Serena Williams' next opponent at the Australian Open will be Agnieszka Radwanska after the pair came through their respective quarter-finals in straight sets.
Williams' quest for a 22nd major title continued in relatively serene fashion on Tuesday as she recorded a 6-4, 6-1 success over fifth seed and 2008 champion Maria Sharapova. And Radwanska was even more convincing against Carla Suarez Navarro, booking her second semi-final appearance at Melbourne Park with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph.
Having taken the lead by converting her fourth set point, Williams required the trainer to come onto the court as she appeared to be battling with illness. But it did not detract from her performance in the second, as she romped into a 5-0 lead before serving out to seal her passage to a seventh Australian Open semi-final.
There she will meet Radwanska, who took advantage of an error-strewn display from Suarez Navarro to reach the last four of a major for just the fifth time.
MOMENTS OF THE DAY
Suarez Navarro makes five unforced errors in the opening game against Radwanska, setting the tone for the rest of the encounter.
A fortunate net cord allows Williams to stay alive in the 10th game of the opening set, and she goes on to break her opponent and get her nose in front.
KEY STATS
Williams' victory over Sharapova was her 18th in succession over the Russian.
Following each of her previous six semi-final appearances at the Australian Open, the world number one has gone on to lift the trophy.
Although Suarez Navarro made 22 winners to Radwanska's 15, her 45 unforced errors ultimately cost her dearly. The Spaniard's grand-slam quarter-final record now reads 0-5.
SOCIAL MEDIA SWEEP
The official Australian Open Twitter account celebrates Australia Day: "Happy #AustraliaDay ! Huge crowd of 28,187 enjoyed today for a record second Tuesday crowd! #ausopen".
A semi-finalist two years ago but out in the second round in 2016, Eugenie Bouchard is missing Melbourne Park. "Wishing I was there..." she posts on her Twitter account, alongside a picture of Williams and Sharapova in action on a TV screen.
THEY SAID WHAT?
"It's such a fun day, everyone's so pumped." — Williams enjoys her victory at Melbourne Park as the nation celebrates Australia Day.
"I'm going to take care of my forearm. This will be a time to get ready for a long year. I don't see myself playing anything before Indian Wells." - Sharapova planning a period of recuperation after bowing out.
"It's motivating because she's at a different level. She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players. She makes you work. That's inspiring." — Sharapova hails the defending champion.
NEXT UP
The remaining quarter-finals see Angelique Kerber take on Victoria Azarenka — champion in 2012 and 2013.
Meanwhile, Johanna Konta becomes the first British woman to feature at this stage of a grand slam since 1984 when she faces Zhang Shuai, the Chinese qualifier whose run to the last eight has been the story of the tournament.
RESULTS
Serena Williams (1) beat Maria Sharapova (5) 6-4 6-1
Agnieszka Radwanska (4) beat Carla Suarez Navarro (10) 6-1 6-3
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