Serena moves one point closer to title with a crunching forehand winner. A loose return lets Sharapova back in, with the Russian digging out a forehand winner of her own to nudge ahead.

Oh no! The Russian double faults for 30-30 before a rally ends in a crosscourt return from Sharapova just lands inside the tramlines.

Match point to Williams. Saved! Sharapova produces another gutsy return which has even Williams clapping in appreciation. Sharapova, adrenalin pumping through her veins, has the bit between her teeth now, serving out deuce to hang on. Phew!

Virginboyay:, external High quality in all departments from both players in the second set.

Matt Kent:, external This is one of the best games of tennis that I have ever seen. Simply unreal.

Of course, Sharapova might not be given the chance to break Serena's serve again. A break here for Williams and a 19th Grand Slam title is all hers...

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

"In terms of quality, this is as good from both players that we've ever seen. What a performance from both players. The quality of tennis is outstanding."

Here's a great stat for you - Maria Sharapova has never won a Slam in an odd year. If she is going to end that here in Melbourne she needs a break soon. But it doesn't happen here, Serena's serve too powerful as she holds to love.

Image source, Getty Images

Sharapova has been hanging on by her fingertips at times during this second set, but enjoys some respite in this eighth game. She races into a 40-0 advantage, then has a lapse of concentration to double fault. But if you're going to double fault you want to do it with a 40-0 lead in your back pocket. Anyway, normal service is resumed as the Russian spanks down an ace to hold.

Two-time men's Australian Open winner Pat Cash on Twitter:, external Laughed how when Serena gets a hindrance point deduction for saying 'come on' when Sharapova's grunt is considerably louder and longer.

Andrew Castle
BBC tennis commentator on BBC Two

"The crowd are appreciating the sheer quality of the number one in the world versus the number two. This is the first time the best two female players in the world have played each other at the Australian Open since 2004."

"Oooh" murmurs the Melbourne crowd as Sharapova works hard to go 30-0 ahead.

But then she barely touches the ball as Williams ups a gear to take the next three. A wide serve out right leaves Sharapova floundering, before a pair of aces puts Williams a point away from a vital hold.

Sharapova wrestles back the point as we go to deuce. Advantage point for Serena, who thumps down an ace to win. Or does she? No! The American shouts 'Come on!' almost as soon as the ball leaves her hand as she thinks she has won the point but Sharapova returns and British umpire Alison Hughes calls hindrance, which hands the point back to the Russian.

Serena doesn't argue though and after Sharapova misses a forehand opportunity at break point, wins it all over again and let's out a more serene "come on". Wow.

Emily:, external Maria is giving it her all in this set to hold her serve each time. But Serena is coming back even stronger at her each time.

Karen Lynch:, external If Sharapova stopped screaming and channelled that energy into her game, she'd be a much better player.

Stuart Pilkington:, external Imagine only the top 10 of men's tennis would be able to beat Serena on a day-to day basis.

Sharapova looks comfortable as she serves into a 30-0 lead. But then suddenly it gets a little uncomfortable for the Russian.

Williams plants a big backhand down the line, pushing the pendulum back in her favour, before a Sharapova error and another backhand winner puts the American on the verge of her first break in the second set.

But Sharapova - a player never short of fight - battles back again and takes the game after deuce.

Two-time men's Australian Open winner Pat Cash on Twitter:, external Sharapova doing well to stay in touch in second set, great competitor.

Sharapova has sight of a break as she leads 30-0, but Serena smashes down two aces to take control again.

Sharapova challenges one of them to no avail, then another booming Williams serve clinches the game.

This is turning into a shouting contest as well as a tennis contest. "Fight!" screams Serena as another ace wraps up the hold. She is in the mood.

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

Image source, AP

"Maria Sharapova is doing her job and hanging in there in the second set, unlike the first where she lost the break in the first game. But she is having to play some great tennis to just stay alive.

"She will keep thinking Serena Williams's game will drop, but Sharapova will not give up, that's for sure."

Image source, Getty Images

Oh no. Big error from Sharapova, who thinks a Williams return at 15-0 is too long. It's not you know. Sharapova challenges, but the review system clearly shows the ball dusting the whitewash.

That hands the momentum back to Williams, who goes 30-15 ahead after a unforced error from the Russian. But she composes herself, winning the next three points to hold Williams at bay.

Sharapova whoops in delight - probably in relief that the earlier error did not cost her.

Mikaela Daniels:, external Serena Williams is a machine. That's all there is to it. She'd give the men a run for their money.

But there is no way through the Williams serve for Sharapova. Routine stuff for the American, who holds within what seems like a few seconds. Quick.

Serena Williams is making the Maria Sharapova serve look like it is in slo-mo. The 18-time Slam winner is attacking at every opportunity, forcing her opponent into a forehand error before going 30-0 ahead with another winner.

But wait! Sharapova stops the rot with her first winning point in 10, and then rediscovers her first serve to battle back. Deuce. The Russian blasts down an ace and then wraps up a gritty hold.

John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two

Image source, Getty Images

"Maria Sharapova had to win that game to stop the momentum that was going against her. Finally she has had some joy with her first serve."