Australian Open: Road to women's final

Defending champion Serena Williams - a 21-time grand slam winner - and major final debutant Angelique Kerber will go head-to-head in the Australian Open women's final.

Here we take a look at their respective paths to Saturday's decider in Melbourne.

SERENA WILLIAMS:

First round: def. Camila Giorgi 6-4 7-5 Williams was under an injury cloud heading into the tournament but she showed no signs of the knee injury that limited her preparation. Giorgi – the highest ranked unseeded player in the draw – loomed as a tricky opponent and kept up with Williams in the second set before faltering late.

Second round: def. Hsieh Su-wei 6-1 6-2 It was a dominant performance from the outset as Williams cruised into the third round. Hsieh barely troubled the 21-time grand slam champion, who won 85 per cent of her first serve points and closed out the match with an ace.

Third round: def. Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-1 Forty-four minutes. That was all Williams required to see off the Russian teenager on Rod Laver Arena. The crushing victory brought up Williams' 71st win at the Australian Open – more than any other player in history.

Fourth round: def. Margarita Gasparyan 6-2 6-1 Williams was just as destructive against Gasparyan as she wrapped up proceedings in less than an hour. The high-flying American only lost 13 points on serve as she earned a 10th last-eight appearance in Melbourne.

Quarter-final: def. Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-1 In a rematch of last year's final, Williams flexed her muscles as she extended her winning streak over the Russian to 18 matches. Sharapova had her chances as Williams started slowly in the first set but she was made to pay for her wastefulness in warm conditions at Melbourne Park.

Semi-final: def. Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4 Williams put on a masterclass as she routed Radwanska to win through to yet another decider. The fourth-seeded Pole and fans alike watched on in awe as a rampant Williams hit 18 winners to wrap up the first set in just 20 minutes. Radwanska managed to get on the board in the second, though there was no denying the irresistible Williams.

ANGELIQUE KERBER:

First round: def. Misaki Doi 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-3Kerber, who reached the Brisbane International final prior to Melbourne, survived an almighty scare at the first hurdle, fending off a match point in a second set tie-break. She dug deep to thwart the Japanese world number 64 in two hours, 41 minutes.

Second round: def. Alexandra Dulgheru 6-2 6-4Dulgheru was a much more straightforward proposition for Kerber. Her powerful forehand proved to be a telling weapon against the Romanian, who failed to cope with Kerber's ferocity around the court.

Third round: def. Madison Brengle 6-1 6-3Kerber maintained her form against Brengle, breaking the American five times throughout the routine encounter, which lasted less than an hour.

Fourth round: def. Annika Beck 6-4 6-0Countrywoman Beck was no match for Kerber, who reached the Australian Open quarter-finals for the first time in her career. Just like the previous rounds, Kerber dictated from the baseline with her heavy hitting.

Quarter-final: def. Victoria Azarenka 6-3 7-5All eyes were on two-time champion Azarenka and her return to form in Melbourne. However, the 14th seed's run came to an abrupt end as Kerber beat the Belarusian for the first time, avenging her loss in the Brisbane final.

Semi-final: def Johanna Konta 7-5 6-2Contesting her third slam semi-final, Kerber finally advanced to a major decider after ending Konta's fairytale run at the Australian Open. Kerber was solid throughout as her mistake-prone British opponent tallied 36 unforced errors.