Australian Open 2013 - Sharapova on Fire

A big celebration for Sharapova

Australian Open Day 5 - Sharapova on Fire

Featured player from day five from Melbourne is 2008 Champion Maria Sharapova who sent out a warning to the rest of a draw with a 6-1, 6-3 defeat of former finalist Venus Williams in the night session on the Rod Laver arena .

The Russian second seed had not dropped a single game in the first two rounds against lesser opponents but really laid down a marker in the women's draw with a totally dominant performance against the seven-time Grand Slam Champion and former World No.1.

Sharapova was H-U-N-G-R-Y for every ball from the first point and huge forehands followed massive backhands to a within inches of the baseline coupled with a tremendous serving performance.

Williams had few chances on return as Sharapova sent down bomb after bomb including a number of massive second serves.

At 6-1, 5-1 down Williams was close to her worst loss in a major since her 2001 Australian semi-final against Hingis (6-1, 6-1) but remained calm and composed and made something happen at the business end of the match.

The 25th seeded American inflicted Sharapova's first break of serve in the tournament in the seventh game to stay alive and then, after holding serve, stretched the Russian in the final game.

Sharapova held firm to close out victory after 79 minutes and earn a first win over Williams in a major after falling to the American at Wimbledon in 2005 and 2007.

The match was eerily reminiscent of the Russian World No.2's destruction of Lindsay Davenport by the same score in a similar early clash of major champions in the second round five years ago.

Sharapova went on to take the title that year  but did not have a certain Miss S.Williams on red hot form in the draw.  Serena will be out for revenge for big sister if the pair meet in the final in a week's time. 

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