It was semifinal day for the women in Melbourne, and Rod Laver Arena was buzzing with the return of two multiple major champions and two women who are hungry to break through for their first.

First on the court was Maria Sharapova and Ekaterina Makarova. In a match with early tension in the air between the two Russians, the five-time major champion took complete control and advanced to the final, 6-3 6-2.

Under windy conditions, both players struggled to adjust to the tricky elements early. But it was Sharapova who was successful first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before Makarova could scratch the score sheet. Finally finding some rhythm, the 26-year-old fought to get back on serve, but it was a case of too many unforced errors in the first set.

As is so often the case, Sharapova strikes hard when her opponent is in trouble. In the second set, she sensed a frustrated Makarova and picked up where she left off in the first set, taking the first four games. What little confidence Makarova had coming into the match had disappeared. She made one last attempt at a run against the 2008 Australian Open champion, but her effort came up well short as Sharapova served out the set and match.

It was the sixth time Sharapova had defeated Makarova without losing to her. She dictated play from the beginning and only allowed 11 winners while benefiting form 29 unforced errors.

Sharapova was pleased to reach the final. “It's been a strange road for me to get to the final but I'm here and I'm very happy,” she said.

Two Americans squared off in the second match. And in a meeting that displayed firepower not seen very often in the WTA, Serena Williams would defeat Madison Keys, 7-6 6-2.

A very confident Keys opened the first set strongly, earning a break and not showing any apparent ill effects from her hamstring injury. However, Williams would soon find her groove, and the two competitors engaged in power tennis. Williams gained a service break and both Americans pounded ground strokes and big serves. With neither player gaining ground into their opponents serve, the set moved to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, the elder American benefited from strong shots off her racket, gaining the early lead. However, Keys remained within striking distance on the heels of her big first strike as the pair displayed powerful, dueling serves. But too many costly unforced errors of Keys’ racket gave Williams the tiebreak and the first set. Surprisingly to some, Keys had overpowered the 18-time Grand Slam champion for much of the first set, drawing impressed responses from the crowd.

Perhaps flat from her disappointing tiebreak loss, Keys could not hold serve in the opening game of the second set. As the set moved forward, Williams would exhibit steady, consistent tennis, while the 19-year-old gave away key points on unforced errors. The result gave Williams a second break of service, and she would serve out the match, but not without a late fight from Keys, who went out swinging.

Keys proved to be an impressive opponent and certainly appears to be the future of American women’s tennis. Although she lost the match, she gained a number of admirers after her impressive display. However, the veteran proved that she is not ready to yield her spot as top American and world No. 1 just yet.

Thursday’s results set up a Serena Williams versus Maria Sharapova final. It will be a battle of world No. 1 against No. 2. Williams has won their last 15 meetings dating back to 2004.