Williams to face Sharapova in final

Maria Sharapova, left, and Serena Williams will meet in a grand slam final for the first time since the 2013 French Open.

Williams to face Sharapova in final

cnn.com Tennis Jan - 29 - 2015 , 08:12

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova -- the two highest-ranked players in the world -- advanced to the Australian Open final after straight-set wins Thursday.

World No. 2 Sharapova began with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, while world No. 1 Williams had a tougher time with Madison Keys in an all-American clash, prevailing 7-6 (5) 6-2.

Williams -- seeking a 19th grand slam title -- rallied from a break down in the first set and needed nine match points to fend off the big-hitting 19-year-old who was making her debut in a grand slam semifinal.

On Wednesday, Keys upset Williams' older sister, Venus.

The odds are stacked in Williams' favor in Saturday's final in Melbourne.

She has won 15 straight matches against Sharapova dating back to 2004 -- conceding just three sets -- and has never lost a final at the Australian Open.

If Sharapova can pull off the upset, she'd collect a sixth major and first outside Roland Garros in seven years.

Credit: CNN.com