Six-times champion Serena Williams has stormed into the Australian Open semi-finals, extending her run of dominance over Maria Sharapova to 18 matches.
Williams wasn't always at her best on Tuesday and spoke with the doctor and trainer during a lopsided second set.
But the world No.1 did more than enough to silence Sharapova 6-4 6-1 in one hour and 32 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
"When you're playing someone like that ... you have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity," Williams said courtside.
"I didn't start out playing that way.
"So after the first set, I knew I just wanted to start playing the way I had been, which got me to the quarter-finals."
Williams will step up her bid for an open-era record-equalling 22nd grand slam title on Thursday when she faces Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in Saturday's decider.
Sharapova hadn't beaten Williams since 2004 but started the 2015 Open final rematch in fine style.
Williams dropped four straight points to be broken in the opening game, with Sharapova holding for a 2-0 lead.
The response was as powerful as it was predictable.
The animated top seed broke back and sent down a 202km/h serve, the fastest of the tournament, as things started to get interesting with Williams leading 4-3.
Sharapova twice double-faulted en route to 0-40 but won the next five points to make it 4-4.
For the first time in the tournament, it was Williams' turn to sweat.
The 34-year-old stared down two break points in a 14-point service game, finally edging ahead for 5-4.
Williams broke for a second time to take the first set in 55 minutes but it was clear something wasn't quite right with the powerful American.
She mucked up three set points, twice thundering a return into the net.
Williams called for the trainer at the break, presumably because of illness.
Nonetheless she bossed Sharapova around the court, grabbing a 5-0 advantage as the Russian surrendered meekly in the second set.
Earlier on Tuesday, Radwanska became the first woman through to the Open semi-finals when she defeated Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3.
Fourth seed Radwanska will be looking to erase memories of her previous best finish at Melbourne Park, a 2014 semi-final loss to Dominika Cibulkova that lasted just 70 minutes.
The Pole knows it won't be easy.
"I have nothing to lose," Radwanska said.
"Hopefully I can play my best tennis in the semi, otherwise I will be in big trouble."
Williams has won all eight clashes with Radwanska on tour, including the 2012 Wimbledon final that went three sets.
"She's a great defender and a great girl," Williams said.
"Regardless of whoever gets to the final it's going to be a great thing."
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