Maria Sharapova enjoys task of beating Serena Williams

Maria Sharapova has said that she loves playing against her rival Serena Williams, despite a negative head-to-head record.

The Russian beat Williams to win Wimbledon in 2004 but has triumphed just once in their 18 matches since, although she insists that she isn't afraid of competing against her

She told Reuters: "She is definitely an opponent that I have had a lot of trouble playing against in the last 10 years and someone that I would love to beat. I love facing her and I love that challenge. I'm definitely not shy of competing against her."

Williams beat Sharapova in the Australian Open final earlier this year.