Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova Feud Heating Up? Pro Tennis Players Fighting Over Grigor Dimitrov?
Serena Williams' rivalry with Maria Sharapova has been all the buzz after the American defeated the Russian star again at the Australian Open.
According to Mirror's Neil McLeman, Hall of Famer Chris Evert said that Williams wanted to defeat Sharapova for "personal and professional reasons." Evert explained that Serena "doesn't get that fired up for any player," except for Sharapova who dated her ex-boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov.
Williams, 34, who hasn't lost to Sharapova in 12 years, is now chasing a 22nd Grand Slam title and will play Agnieszka Radwanska in the next round.
"She respects Maria's game a lot," Evert added. "But the bottom line is that Maria just doesn't have anything in her game to hurt Serena. Serena does everything better. I am sure that is the reason why Maria gets so frustrated. Against every other opponent, she can hurt them."
Maria Sharapova kept Serena who fell into a 2-0 hole at bay for about an hour. Williams then reeled off six of the next eight games to increase her advantage. At 4-4, Williams defended two break points in a backbreaking game. Williams took the game in the following set at the fourth point with an open-court volley.
"It was super intense," Williams said in a statement published by BBC. "She's an incredibly intense and focused player who was world number one. When you're playing someone so great you have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity."
Sharapova, on the other hand, also gave high praises to Williams.
"She's at a different level," the 28-year-old Russian pro said. "She makes you work. That's inspiring."
Serena Williams tagged ex-boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov as having a "black heart" after he started dating her rival.
Meanwhile, Sharapova and Dimitrov broke it off back in July after a two-year relationship. The Bulgarian tennis star in now dating former "X Factor" judge Nicole Scherzinger.
Stay tuned for more news on Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova as updates become available.