Live Commentary: Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova - as it happened

Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Wimbledon semi-final between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

It's going to take a lot for the second semi-final to better the quality of the first, but if any two players can do that, it's Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. With six Wimbledon titles and 25 Grand Slams between them, this has all the makings of a classic.

From Serena's perspective, she's already had to overcome a number of challenges to reach this stage of the tournament. After barely getting past Great Britain's Heather Watson, she overcame her sister Venus before outlasting former world number Victoria Azarenka in three sets. She's endured a tough route to the semis, but this afternoon could prove to be the hardest one yet.

It's been a different kind of passage for Sharapova, who hasn't played anyone above number 29 in the world rankings. The only set she has dropped - against Coco Vandeweghe - came in a tie-break, and while she has been dominated by Serena over the past decade, she will at least be pleased with her own form.

HEAD TO HEAD! I mentioned that Serena has dominated Serena for over a decade. Her winning streak has reached 16 matches, while Sharapova has dropped the last 12 sets. Out of their 19 meetings, only three have come on grass. Sharapova emerged victorious in their most significant one in the Wimbledon final in 2004, but Serena won the last one 6-0 6-1 in the Wimbledon final.

The two players are well into their warm-ups now. We will be getting underway in just a few minutes.

BREAK! It's Sharapova to serve first, and she takes the opening two points after errors from Williams. However, the Russian has problems with her serve, floating a second serve in before conceding a double fault. It's 30-30, which soon becomes deuce when Sharapova goes long with a backhand. A second double fault gives Serena the first break point of the match, before a third gives the American the game. That's not a good sign...

Better from Sharapova, who connects with a second-serve return to win the first point, but the Russian goes just wide in the next point. The pair trade mistakes, before Serena drills down a 120mph ace. A double fault follows, but another ace - this time at 118mph - helps the American to the hold.

When Sharapova misses her first serve, she is there for the taking and Williams soon moves 0-30 ahead. She gets back on level terms but a tame first serve is drilled straight back at her by Williams, who senses the double break. Not for long though, Sharapova finds an ace out wide. Serena gets another opportunity before Sharapova reels off three points in a row. That will hopefully settle a few nerves.

Serena possesses the greater power of the two, but she finds herself on the defensive when the Russian fires a powerful shot from the baseline. Her first serve gets her out of trouble though, a 120mph ace taking her to game point, before an 111mph delivery catches the line.

BREAK! Sharapova takes a slightly more aggressive approach to this game, but in doing so, finds herself 15-30 down after two mistakes. Williams then connects with a first-serve return to earn two break points and a net cord allows her to convert the first with a forehand winner inside the court.

Another ace down the middle takes Williams to 30-0, before a crunching forehand winner eases her to three game points. A love hold is sealed when a first-serve return is sent into the net by Sharapova.

Sharapova takes the first two points, but the deficit is halved when she misses a routine forehand. Williams should be level at 30-30 but she miscues a drive volley and the Russian seals her second game of the contest when her opponent goes wide.

SET! An ace registering 113mph and a backhand winner from inside the court take Williams to within two points of the set before another ace takes her one away. Sharapova remains in the game with a forehand winner, a one-sided opener is completed with a one-two off Williams's serve.

Sharapova records just her second ace to make it to 30-15 before Serena goes long with a return. The Russian then comes up with a forehand winner on the run and that's a much better start to the set.

The support for Sharapova has increased - the fans don't want to see this end early and I don't blame them. The Russian goes 0-15 ahead but Serena responds with three big first serves. Sharapova bursts into life with a backhand return winner but another huge delivery from the American seals the game.

Sharapova commits another double fault but it comes at 40-0 and she holds for the third game in succession with a serve out wide. Despite the one-sided nature of the first set, this is competitive now.

A second-serve ace gets Williams back to 15-15 after dropping the opening point, but a forehand into the net gives Sharapova a look at 15-30. Serena responds how a champion does, though, with three aggressive points to keep the pressure on the Sharapova serve.

BREAK! At 0-15, Williams makes her move to put away a smash, but he gives a point away with a rash forehand that clears the baseline. Another Serena error allows her opponent to reach 30-30, but Sharapova can't handle a return of serve, sending a backhand into the tramlines. Big moment here, and Williams strikes when Sharapova double faults yet again.

Sharapova could do with breaking straight back, but she soon finds herself 30-0 down, before a 10th ace, at 123mph, brings up three game points. Another first serve isn't returned and Williams holds to love.

A backhand return from Williams takes her to 15-15, before a devastating forehand winner heaps the pressure on Sharapova at 15-30. Serena has two chances for the double break after a huge return, but both are saved by Sharapova who finally finds some length behind her first serve. The Russian could have wilted here, but she gets through the game and seems rejuvenated.

Sharapova has a new lease of life and a booming forehand winner into the corner takes her to 0-30. Serena shows her resolve in reaching 30-30 courtesy of a couple of big serves, and advances to game point, despite Sharapova reaching new decibel levels. The hold is complete when Williams hits the line with a first serve.

Sharapova leaves nothing to chance by hitting her way to 30-0 but back comes Williams, who unleashes an unstoppable backhand into the corner. The Russian earns two game points, but Serena is relentless, powering the ball with authority to reach deuce. A double fault gives Williams a match point, but the five-time winner somehow misses with a forehand. Sharapova eventually holds, but Williams will now serve for a place in the final.

MATCH! Two more aces - either side of a double fault - take Serena to 30-15, and it's two match points after a third ace. Another unreturned serve is registered and Serena is into the final.

Sharapova did well to hang on for as long as she did, but Serena has recorded an emphatic victory this season. She didn't face one break point against the second best player in the world. Good luck, Garbine Muguruza...

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you for the men's semi-finals tomorrow afternoon. Goodbye for now.