Six-time champion Serena Williams outplayed Britain’s Johanna Konta to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The American, 35, won 6-2 6-3 and will next play unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who beat fifth seed Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4 3-6 6-4.
Konta, seeded ninth, went into the quarter-final on a nine-match and 18-set winning streak but came up short in her first meeting with Williams.
Williams is now two wins from claiming an Open-era record 23rd major title.
“Johanna Konta has been playing so well,” said the second seed.
“I was in the locker room watching her clean up her matches. She is a future champion here for sure, so I am pleased to get through this.
“I got a little frustrated with my serve, but I told myself ‘don’t get Babyrena’ [Williams’ angry alter-ego] and focused on enjoying myself out here. Today I felt I can do this, it is such a great opportunity for me.”
Konta described facing Williams as the “BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE”