Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams advance to Australian Open final

MELBOURNE – Maria Sharapova reached the Australian Open final for the fourth time, beating fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-2 in a lopsided semifinal.

The second-ranked Sharapova needed 10 minutes to hold in her opening service game, fending off two break points. She responded to the only service break against her in the first set by winning six straight games and seizing control of the match from the 10th-seeded Makarova, who had only taken one set off her in five previous matches.

Sharapova won the Australia Open title in 2008 but was comprehensively beaten in the championship match in 2007 by then-unseeded Serena Williams.

The five-time major winner opened the 2015 season in confident style by winning the Brisbane International title but had a close call in the second round here, having to save match points against No. 150-ranked Russian qualifier Alexandra Panova. Since then, she hasn’t faced a set point.

Williams advances past Keys

Serena Williams weathered a barrage of big serves and heavy groundstrokes in the first set before beating 19-year-old Madison Keys 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Williams dominated the second set of the all-American semifinal, breaking Keys’ serve twice. Keys saved seven match points on serve in the penultimate game before Williams closed with an ace on her ninth match point.

Williams, an 18-time major winner, is back in the final here for the first time since winning her fifth Australian title in 2010.

The win ensured Williams will retain the top ranking, regardless of the outcome against No. 2 Sharapova.

Djokovic reaches his 25th semis

Novak Djokovic reached his 25th Grand Slam semifinal by beating No. 8 Milos Raonic, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-2. The No. 1-ranked player cruised through his quarterfinal without facing a break point by his 24-year-old opponent, a rising Canadian star known for having one of the biggest serves in the game.