MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams extended her winning streak over rival Maria Sharapova on Tuesday, so it came as no surprise when the world No. 1 said she enjoys playing the Russian.
Williams made it 18 consecutive victories against the fifth-seeded Sharapova thanks to a 6-4, 6-1 quarterfinal triumph at Melbourne Park. The defending Australian Open champion has not lost to Sharapova since 2004.
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"There is something about her game," said Williams, who revealed she overcame a bout of food poisoning prior to Tuesday's showdown. "I like the way she hits the ball. Plus, when I play her, I know automatically I have to step up my game. I think that makes me play better. When I play better, when I'm forced to play better, I don't know, I do well."
Of Williams' 21 major singles titles, six have come at the Australian Open. She will face No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals on Thursday.
Radwanska has yet to lose in 2016, but the 34-year-old Williams has won the tournament every time she has reached the semifinals in Melbourne.
"It will be a good match. She's been playing really well towards the end of the year, and already this year she's been very consistent," Williams said. "She presents a completely different game, an extremely exciting game. So I think it will be a long match and it will be a good match to see where I am."
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Serena Williams (1) def. Maria Sharapova (5) 6-4, 6-1
ACES
Williams — 13
Sharapova — 3
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Williams — 31/20
Sharapova — 11/12
BREAK POINTS WON
Williams — 4/10
Sharapova — 1/5
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Williams — 58
Sharapova — 55
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Williams — 73/52
Sharapova —- 59/38
TOTAL POINTS
Williams — 70
Sharapova — 52
Omnisport's Dejan Kalinic contributed to this report.