Serena Williams inflicted more misery on her old
adversary Maria Sharapova with a ruthless Wimbledon semi-final victory
on Centre Court.
World number one Williams has become Sharapova's nemesis since losing twice to the Russian in 2004 - including the final on the famous grass court at Wimbledon.
Sharapova was unable to claim a first victory over the all-conquering American in 11 years, failing to rise to the occasion and enduring more troubles on serve as she was beaten 6-2 6-4 to stretch her losing streak against the top seed to 17 matches.
Williams will be a strong favourite to beat surprise package Garbine Muguruza when she goes in search of a sixth Wimbledon title on Saturday.
The legendary 33-year-old will also complete a second 'Serena Slam' - holding all four grand slam titles - if she prevails yet again this weekend and would head into the US Open in the hunt for her first calendar Grand Slam.
Five-time grand slam champion Sharapova has not won Wimbledon since claiming her solitary title at SW19 at the expense of Williams - who beat her in the Australian Open final in January - all those years ago and has taken only one set off her rival in seven years.
Sharapova has had problems with her serve throughout the tournament and her inability to address the issue was evident again when she double-faulted three times in the first game to gift Williams an early break.
Williams held and then immediately had another two break points as Sharapova's struggles continued, but this time the Russian was able to get herself out of trouble to make it 2-1.
The world number one was not to be denied another break to take a 4-1 lead in Sharapova's next service game, though, racing in to execute a forehand winner with ease after the fourth seed hit the top of the net.
As Sharapova toiled, Williams was having no such trouble and turned the screw by holding to love in clinical fashion.
The two-time French Open champion stopped the rot to reduce the deficit to 5-2, but the first set was over in only 33 minutes when the favourite whipped over a two-handed backhand winner.
Sharapova looked more at ease at the start of the second set, but was back in trouble at 30-40 in the fifth game and an aggressive second serve did not do the trick as she double-faulted again.
Williams was in a rush to seal her place in the final as she had another three break points for a 5-2 lead, but this time Sharapova dug deep to deny her.
The power and precision of the American proved too much for her opponent to contend with and she eased into a 5-3 lead, with Sharapova not able to earn a single break point in a one-sided match.
The outstanding Williams then sealed an emphatic victory in style with three aces - taking her tally for the match to 13 - as Sharapova was outclassed on the same court where she was thrashed by Williams in the Olympic Games final three years ago.
World number one Williams has become Sharapova's nemesis since losing twice to the Russian in 2004 - including the final on the famous grass court at Wimbledon.
Sharapova was unable to claim a first victory over the all-conquering American in 11 years, failing to rise to the occasion and enduring more troubles on serve as she was beaten 6-2 6-4 to stretch her losing streak against the top seed to 17 matches.
Williams will be a strong favourite to beat surprise package Garbine Muguruza when she goes in search of a sixth Wimbledon title on Saturday.
The legendary 33-year-old will also complete a second 'Serena Slam' - holding all four grand slam titles - if she prevails yet again this weekend and would head into the US Open in the hunt for her first calendar Grand Slam.
Five-time grand slam champion Sharapova has not won Wimbledon since claiming her solitary title at SW19 at the expense of Williams - who beat her in the Australian Open final in January - all those years ago and has taken only one set off her rival in seven years.
Sharapova has had problems with her serve throughout the tournament and her inability to address the issue was evident again when she double-faulted three times in the first game to gift Williams an early break.
Williams held and then immediately had another two break points as Sharapova's struggles continued, but this time the Russian was able to get herself out of trouble to make it 2-1.
The world number one was not to be denied another break to take a 4-1 lead in Sharapova's next service game, though, racing in to execute a forehand winner with ease after the fourth seed hit the top of the net.
As Sharapova toiled, Williams was having no such trouble and turned the screw by holding to love in clinical fashion.
The two-time French Open champion stopped the rot to reduce the deficit to 5-2, but the first set was over in only 33 minutes when the favourite whipped over a two-handed backhand winner.
Sharapova looked more at ease at the start of the second set, but was back in trouble at 30-40 in the fifth game and an aggressive second serve did not do the trick as she double-faulted again.
Williams was in a rush to seal her place in the final as she had another three break points for a 5-2 lead, but this time Sharapova dug deep to deny her.
The power and precision of the American proved too much for her opponent to contend with and she eased into a 5-3 lead, with Sharapova not able to earn a single break point in a one-sided match.
The outstanding Williams then sealed an emphatic victory in style with three aces - taking her tally for the match to 13 - as Sharapova was outclassed on the same court where she was thrashed by Williams in the Olympic Games final three years ago.
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