Serena Williams has set up a gold-medal meeting with Maria Sharapova by dismantling world number one Victoria Azarenka this afternoon.
The American held to-love in the opening game before breaking the Azarenka serve in the next to take an early advantage on Centre Court.
Azarenka could do little to stop Williams, arguably in the form of her life, as the fourth seed raced to a 6-1 success in the opening set in just 27 minutes.
The domination continued at the start of the second, with Williams breaking twice to race to a 4-0 lead before Azarenka held serve to get on the board in the set.
The Belarusian saved three match points at 5-2 but could do little to stop the American, who racked up 16 aces and 33 winners in the 15 games.
Williams is now guaranteed a medal, while Azarenka takes on Maria Kirilenko of Russia for the bronze.
Pascal Lemesre
