The Grand Slam rematch of Serena Williams against Maria Sharapova has been two years in the making. Their initial meeting came in the 2004 Wimbledon final, when Sharapova won her first major. In the 2005 Australian Open semi-finals, Sharapova served twice for the match —once in the second set, once in the third — and blew four match points before losing 8-6 in the third. On Saturday, they meet in the final of the Australian Open. Sharapova, who beat Kim Clijsters 6-4, 6-2 in Thursday’s semi-finals, said that loss at Melbourne Park doesn’t hold any special meaning for her rematch with Williams. “It was just a loss in my career,” Sharapova said. “I had the opportunity to be in another Grand Slam final. I didn’t take them. I’ve had wins against her. I’ve had losses against her. That was just a loss.”Since that 2005 match, Sharapova has reached the semi-finals at five other Grand Slams, and won the US Open last year. Williams, who played only four tournaments in 2006 because of a lingering knee injury, hasn’t added to her seven Grand Slam titles since she won in Australia two years ago.The players have split four matches — Williams winning in straight sets at Miami in 2004, Sharapova at Wimbledon, Sharapova in three at the season-ending Tour championship in 2004 and Williams in Australia in 2005.Williams, unseeded and No. 81 when the tournament began, isn’t surprised to be in the final. She beat 12th-ranked Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the other semi-final. “I wouldn’t say for me it’s an astonishing achievement,” Williams said. “I would say I am happy more than anything. It’s not astonishing or surprising . definitely something I have always expected.” Sharapova also wasn't surprised to face Williams. “She came into this tournament without any expectations, and she is playing great tennis,” Sharapova said. “She’s won many of these titles, and I have a lot to catch up. I had a tough one here a couple of years ago with her, and I'm looking forward to my rematch.”Williams played in a small 32-draw tournament in Tasmania before the Australian Open, getting in three rounds. She said she’s improved since then.When Williams lost the Wimbledon final in 2004, she was the top seed and Sharapova was seeded 13th. In 2005, Sharapova moved up to No. 4 in the rankings while Williams was No. 7 after a series of injuries. Sharapova will move to No. 1 after this tournament, while Williams will be around 15th, a massive climb after slipping out of the top 100 last year.-DENNIS PASSA
