Serena Williams affected a delicious nonchalance when asked about her Australian Open quarter final against Maria Sharapova.

Serena Williams affected a delicious nonchalance when asked about her Australian Open quarter final against Maria Sharapova.

'I didn't know I was playing her next, I had no idea,' claimed Williams, somewhat unbelievably.
It may have been the world number one's way of reminding everyone that she holds an 18-2 record against the Russian, a history which plays down the notion that these two are authentic rivals.

They do not like each other much, and Serena will not lack for incentive when they face off in a repeat of last year's final, which turned out to be among the most entertaining matches of the season.

'I'll be ready. I think she had a really good match today. I really have nothing to lose, we are both doing the best that we can, so it will be fun,' said Williams, who disposed of little known Russian Margarita Gasparyan 6-2 6-1 in just 55 minutes.

Although the world number one came into this event with no form to speak of and concerns over the state of her knee she has not dropped a set.

Infact, having been pushed hard by Italian Camila Giorgi in the first round she has now lost only eight games in her last three matches, establishing the kind of dominance seen in 2015.