MELBOURNE, Australia \u2013 Maria Sharapova leaned back and pumped her arms. She ripped her elbows back and forth, screaming after her victory. Four pumps, five \u2013 she rocked forward \u2013 six pumps. More.<\/p>\n
Sharapova had just defeated Venus Williams 6-1, 6-3 on Friday, her first victory over the seven-time major winner in a Grand Slam. This was a match clearly worth celebrating, but it was if Sharapova had won the Australian Open title eight days early.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just really pumped,\u201d she said. \u201cWhy shouldn\u2019t I be?\u201d<\/p>\n
After back-to-back 6-0, 6-0 wins in the first two rounds \u2013 the first time that happened at a major since 1985 \u2013 Sharapova has conceded the fewest number of games en route to the fourth round at the Australian Open since Steffi Graf did so 24 years ago. Graf also lost only four games in her first three matches on her way to the second of her three consecutive titles in Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Sharapova knows she must stay on top of her game. Another Williams could be waiting.<\/p>\n
Asked if she was thinking about a showdown with the younger of the Williams sisters, Sharapova said: \u201cShe\u2019s on the other side of the draw, and other players are on the other side of the draw as well.\u201d That means they can meet only in the final.<\/p>\n