Serena Williams continued her domination of Maria Sharapova with a 7-5 4-6 6-1 win in the quarter-finals of WTA Charleston.

Williams improved to 5-2 overall against the Russian, who lost for just the second time in 26 matches in 2008.

"In the third set I started to play the Serena game," said the fifth-seeded American, who has now won four straight matches against Sharapova. "I'm not new to this."

The 26-year-old former world number 1 is attempting to capture her third consecutive title this week, having won consecutive titles in Bangalore and Miami.

"This is definitely a big win, but I still want to win the next round and win the tournament," said Williams, who is ranked ninth in the world.

Facing Williams for the first time on clay, Sharapova was in control early and served for the first set at 5-4.

Williams, however, reeled off the next three games - including two breaks - to steal the set.

"I was lucky to hang in there during the first set," said Williams, who is 17-1 this season. "In the third set I finally started played the Serena game."

Sharapova rebounded to even the match at one set apiece, but Williams dominated the decisive third set, opening up a commanding 5-0 lead en route to the win.

Sharapova's record against Williams is just one of two losing marks against current players ranked within the world's top 10, the other being her 3-6 record against number one Justine Henin.

Williams, who was a finalist at the 1.3 million-dollar Charleston event in 2003, next faces Alize Cornet of France after she beat Agnes Szavay of Hungary 7-5 6-4.

AFP