Serena crashes Sharapova




Serena Williams break Sharapova and reaches the Family Circle Cup semi-finals on Friday by the set of 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.

Williams has not lost to Sharapova since 2005 and is 5-2 overall against her. This was their first meeting on clay — Sharapova was coming off her first victory on clay last week at Amelia Island.

"It was an up-and-down match," said Williams, trying for her third tour title this year. "I don't think I played my best. Actually, I played far from my best."

Williams' best finish at this event was runner-up five years ago, the same year Sharapova made the field as a 15-year-old qualifier and lost in the first round.

Williams struggled in the first set, which featured several long games. She won one game after it went to deuce seven times. But in the third set, Sharapova won just four points in the first five games.