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The world's newest - and oldest - number one showed the tennis world why she's still the best with a straight sets thrashing of Maria Sharapova at the Qatar Total Open in Doha.

Serena Williams, who will retake her place as the top ranked woman in the WTA next week after advancing to Saturday's semi-final with an emotional win over Petra Kvitoa, put Sharapova away 6-3, 6-2 in a dominating display of power, finesse and determination that perfectly befits perhaps the best woman to ever play the game.

"I love being here," said Williams of her maiden performance at Doha tournament. "I've had pretty good resutls and I hope to have a good result again tomorrow. Maria is always playing really well and so consistent, but I'm trying to be consistent as well." It was her 10th consecutive victory over the Russian.

The 31-year old Williams, the oldest to achieve the WTA's top ranking, will face the woman she'll succeed as world number one, Victoria Azarenka, Sunday at Doha's Khalifa Tennis Complex in a bid to win her 48<sup>th career title and her second of the year.

Azarenka, an easy winner over Agnieszka Radwanska, will attempt to crack her dismal 1-11 record and a nine game losing streak against the 15-time Grand Slam champion.

"I just have to be consistent and really focused on my own game," she said. "We all know she has a great serve. She's really aggressive and really consistent. So for me it's important to just focus on myself and execute my game. That's it."