In fact, Sharapova has taken just one set off Williams in the last seven years and in their last meeting on grass, at the London 2012 Olympics, she managed to win just a solitary game. Despite her dismal record, the five-time Grand Slam champion is confident that she can win to reach what would be a first Wimbledon final since 2011.
"I think it's always a new match," the world number four said.
"I haven't had great success against her. I would love to change that around. That's how I look at it.
"There are definitely no secrets between each other's games, but it will be an incredible moment for me to step out on Centre Court against her again.
"There's no easy road to victory. You're going to have your bumps. That's the way I see it."
Sharapova came though a tough quarter-final against powerful American Coco Vandeweghe.
She now faces another in Williams, who battled back from a set down to Victoria Azarenka, to reach the last four at Wimbledon for a ninth time.
Chasing a 21st Grand Slam, which would put her just one behind Steffi Graf's all-time Open era record, Williams has lost just one match so far in 2015.
Their most recent meeting...
...came in the final of the Australian Open in January, when Williams won in straight sets for her 19th Grand Slam title.
However, her route to the semis here at SW19 has been far from easy, with an epic tussle with Britain's Heather Watson followed by an emotional match with her sister Venus in the fourth round and then a high class quarter-final against Azarenka.
Just like in her match with Watson, Williams found herself a set down to the Belarusian but upped her game superbly and struck 46 winners, including 17 aces.
"It's been up and down, up and down but somehow I'm still alive: I don't know how," said Williams.
Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams graphic
"For me, I don't feel like I have any pressure going into this match.
"It's just totally different for me. I don't have anything to prove. I've won all the Grand Slams, multiple times. Now I'm here just to enjoy it.
"It's actually making me play better, which is crazy.
"I love playing Maria. I think she brings out the best in me,"
Marion Bartoli, 2013 Wimbledon champion on Williams v Sharapova
Serena Williams hasn't lost against Maria Sharapova for over 10 years. On every single surface - be it grass, clay or hard or in every match situation - be it for Grand Slam finals or Olympic medals, she beats her. She is going to walk into the court knowing exactly what she has to do. I can't see her entering any semi-final with more confidence than she will have for this one. It's fair to say they aren't the best friends in the world, but at the end of the day they are both professionals and they both want to win.
Unbeaten in 26 matches at Slams, she is now just two games away from completing a 'Serena Slam' for a second time.
All talk of that, and what would be a first calendar Grand Slam since Graf in 1988 , is off limits to Williams and reporters have been jokingly rebuked for asking her.
"No, I told you guys don't mention it, no slam!" she said after her win over Azarenka.
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