Olympic Brilliance: Serena Williams' Masterclass against Maria Sharapova

• Tennis News
• Serena Williams

Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova met 22 times on the Tour, with the American dominating their rivalry with 20 victories! The 17-year-old Sharapova scored two wins over Williams in 2004 and never repeated that, standing no chance against one of the greatest players of all time in their remaining duels.

Williams delivered one of her finest victories over Sharapova in the 2012 Olympic Games final, toppling her rival in 62 minutes and writing history books! Serena completed a career Grand Slam in 2003 following the Australian Open title, setting her eyes on the Olympic singles gold medal.

Williams did not play in Athens 2004, and Elena Dementieva beat her in the 2008 quarter-final. At 30, Serena had a perfect chance to finally take the Olympic singles gold in London 2012. The American returned to Wimbledon a few weeks after conquering the fifth singles title at The All England Club and delivered incredible tennis in all six encounters.

Thus, she became the first player in tennis history with all four Majors and the Olympic gold in both singles and doubles! Serena had to beat five top-20 rivals en route to a historic achievement. It was hardly an obstacle for her after dropping 17 games in 12 sets, never more than three in a single set!

Williams enjoyed one of her career-best weeks and emerged as a deserved champion. On August 4, Serena toppled former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 in swift 62 minutes, notching her sixth win over the Russian in eight matches and embracing the Olympic glory.

It was perfect revenge for the 2004 Wimbledon final loss when Sharapova went all the way at 17. The Russian played far from that level eight years later and never stood a chance against the mighty opponent. Serena had 24 winners and seven unforced errors in one of the best matches she ever played, dominating serve and return and leaving Maria miles behind.

Serena Williams claimed the 2012 Olympic gold medal in style.

The American saved both break chances and mounted pressure on the Russian, stealing her serve five times from seven opportunities. Sharapova won only 25 points, barely hitting any winner and allowing Williams to dictate the pace with her strong serve and groundstrokes that proved too tough to handle.

Keeping the points on her racquet, the American had the upper hand in the shortest and mid-range rallies, playing at full throttle and marching toward the desired title. Serena kicked off the action with three aces and broke at love in game two after a forehand down the line winner.

Sharapova was 30-0 up in the third game before Williams grabbed four straight points to seal the game with an ace and move 3-0 up. The Russian wasted a game point in the next one with a double fault, and Serena punished her with another mighty forehand that propelled her 4-0 ahead.

Serena closed the fifth game with an ace, and Maria served to stay in the set. The Russian built a 40-0 lead before the American climbed back and landed a backhand down the line winner for a set point. She converted it after Sharapova's forced volley error to wrap up the opener 6-0 in 30 minutes!

Willams continued where she left in the first set and opened the second with four winners. The American placed a return winner in the next one to deliver another break and secure her eighth straight game! Maria was utterly powerless on the return and fell 3-0 down when Serena landed three winners.

Sharapova finally got her name on the scoreboard after 45 minutes in game four, thanks to an unreturned serve. Maria created a break chance at 1-3, and Serena denied it with a forehand drive volley winner. The American saved another break chance with a backhand winner and brought the game home for 4-1.

A smash winner earned a break at 15 for Williams in the next one, opening a 5-1 lead and serving for the title. The gold medal was safely in Serena's hands following four winners in game seven, wrapping up a fantastic performance with an ace down the T line and writing another chapter of tennis history.