10ThingstoSeeSports - Serena Williams celebrates after scoring a point against Caroline Garcia, of France, at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 22, 2014. Williams won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File) (The Associated Press)
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova for the 15th consecutive time, rallying in both sets Thursday for a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the Sony Open semifinals.
Williams is seeking a record seventh Key Biscayne title. She improved to 16-2 against Sharapova and hasn't lost to her favorite foil since 2004.
The No. 1-ranked Williams won with a superior serve and better returns. She hit nine aces and broke five times, helping her rebound from deficits of 4-1 in the first set and 2-0 in the second.
Williams earned her 14th consecutive victory against a top-10 player. Her opponent in Saturday's final will be the winner of the semifinal Thursday night between reigning Australian Open champion Li Na and Dominika Cibulkova.
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