Miami: Serena Williams extended her dominance of Maria Sharapova on Thursday, defeating the Russian 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final of the Miami hardcourt tournament for the ninth time.

World number one Williams will be seeking a second straight Miami crown -- and the seventh of her career -- on Saturday, when she takes on either Australian Open champion Li Na of China or Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova in the women's final of the combined WTA and ATP Masters event.