Melbourne, Australia: Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova put the brakes on Eugenie Bouchard's quest for a first major title, beating the young Canadian 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday to advance to the Australian Open semifinals.
In a match between one of the game's longtime stars and a rising talent, the No. 2-ranked Sharapova dominated on serve and took the ball early in an effort to keep points short against her 20-year-old opponent.
The 27-year-old French Open champion is looking to win her first Australian Open since 2008. Sharapova has twice been a finalist in Melbourne, in 2012 and 2007.
Sharapova faces No. 10 Ekaterina Makarova in the semifinals, after the fellow Russian beat No. 3 Simona Halep in straight sets in the day's first quarterfinal.
