Tennis- Australian Open- Serena Williams' rivalry with Maria Sharapova is ''personal'' after she beats her AGAIN at the Australian Open

Legend Chris Evert reckons the American "doesn’t get that fired up for any player" except Russian star her ex Grigor Dimitrov later began dating

 

Easy street: Serena has won 15 consecutive sets against Sharapova

Chris Evert claimed Serena Williams wanted to beat Maria Sharapova for “personal and professional reasons” after the world No 1 romped to her 18th consecutive win over her Russian rival, writes Neil McLeman in Melbourne.
While Roger Federer will meet Novak Djokovic at the men's semi-final stage of the Australian Open on Thursday, the biggest showdown in the woman’s draw came a round earlier.
But the repeat of last year’s final proved yet another mismatch as defending champion Williams won 6-4 6-1, despite suffering from food poisoning.
The American has now won 16 consecutive sets against five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova – and came within a game of a humiliating second-set bagel on Tuesday.

Ineffective: Sharapova doesn't have the weapons to hurt Williams

It is a familiar tale of the two biggest female names in sport, with the American still unbeaten against her rival since 2004.
And Evert reckons the Russian provokes Williams into playing her best.


“Serena gets so fired up – she wants to beat Maria for personal and professional reasons,” said Evert, who won 18 Majors.
“She respects Maria’s game a lot – she doesn’t get that fired up for any other player.

Anger: Evert said Serena wants to beat Russian "for personal and professional reasons" 

“But the bottom line is that Maria just doesn’t have anything in her game to hurt Serena. Serena does everything better.
"I am sure that is the reason why Maria gets so frustrated. Against every other opponent, she can hurt them.”
Williams accused former boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov of having a “black heart” after he switched his affections to Sharapova, who earns more from sponsorships.

Former love: Bulgarian Dimitrov once went out with Williams

Asked if there is a big gap between the two players on the court, Williams, a six-time champion here, confirmed: “There is.”
Sharapova, the 2008 champion here, said: “It’s motivating because she’s at a different level. She makes you go back to the drawing board. That’s inspiring.”


Next up for Williams is Agnieszka Radwanska, the world No.4 she has beaten in all eight of their matches.
Federer and Djokovic meet for the 45th time on Thursday in a rematch of the last two Grand Slam finals.

22-all: Who will take the lead on Thursday?

The score between them is now perfectly poised at 22 wins each.
The Swiss beat Tomas Berdych in straight sets, while Djokovic brushed aside Kei Nishikori.

Djokovic said: “There’s a lot at stake. I’m expecting a great fight.”