(CNN)Now comes the hard part for Maria Sharapova. Having reached the Australian Open final, she'll have to overcome longtime nemesis Serena Williams. 

To utter that Sharapova is the underdog Saturday is like saying Roger Federer is a decent player. World No. 1 Williams leads the second-ranked Sharapova 16-2 in their rivalry -- but has won 15 matches in a row. 

During that streak, she has conceded three sets to the Russian. 

If that's not enough, Williams has never lost a semifinal or final in Melbourne, her record improving to 11-0 after topping fellow American Madison Keys 7-6 (5) 6-2 Thursday in the semifinals. 

Sharapova, meanwhile, has failed to win a major outside Roland Garros in seven years. 

But all the imposing statistics don't appear to be fazing the ever steely Sharapova, who last downed Williams at the year-end championships in 2004. 

"I think my confidence should be pretty high going into a final of a grand slam no matter who I'm facing, and whether I've had a terrible record against someone, it doesn't matter," Sharapova, a 6-3 6-2 winner over compatriot Ekaterina Makarova Thursday, told reporters. 

"I got there for a reason. I belong in that spot. I will do everything I can to get the title." 

Some would say, too, that Sharapova has fate on her side. 

She was almost knocked out in the second round, needing to save a pair of match points against qualifier Alexandra Panova. And only last year Li Na took advantage of her second chance in Melbourne, fending off a match point in the third round before going on to capture a second grand slam title a week later. 
Who has reached the Australian Open Final?
Who will she have to overcome?
Have they been rivals for a long time?
Who is number 1 in the world?
Who is ranked second?
How many matches has Williams won against Sharapova?
How many in a row?
How many has she lost against Sharapova?
How many sets has she conceded?
What nationality is Sharapova?
Where has Williams never lost a final?
Who did she beat to make her record 11-0?
What has Sharapova failed to do?
What would some say she has on her side?
Who did Sharapova beat on Thursday?
What will she do to get the title?
What year did she last beat Williams?
What round was she nearly knocked out?
Against who?
What happened only last year?
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova. Having reached the Australian Open final,
Serena Williams
 she'll have to overcome longtime nemesis Serena Williams. 
yes
she'll have to overcome longtime nemesis Serena Williams. 
Serena Williams
 World No. 1 Williams
second
 World No. 1 Williams leads the second-ranked Sharapova 
16
World No. 1 Williams leads the second-ranked Sharapova 16-2 in their rivalry 
15
World No. 1 Williams leads the second-ranked Sharapova 16-2 in their rivalry -- but has won 15 matches in a row. 
Two
 Williams leads the second-ranked Sharapova 16-2 in their rivalry
Three
During that streak, she has conceded three sets to the Russian. 
Russian
During that streak, she has conceded three sets to the Russian.
Melbourne
If that's not enough, Williams has never lost a semifinal or final in Melbourne,
Madison Keys
If that's not enough, Williams has never lost a semifinal or final in Melbourne, her record improving to 11-0 after topping fellow American Madison Keys 
failed to win a major outside Roland Garros in seven years
Sharapova, meanwhile, has failed to win a major outside Roland Garros in seven years.
fate
Some would say, too, that Sharapova has fate on her side. 
Ekaterina Makarova
Sharapova, a 6-3 6-2 winner over compatriot Ekaterina Makarova Thursday, told reporters. 
everything she can
I will do everything I can to get the title." 

2004
Sharapova, who last downed Williams at the year-end championships in 2004. 
in the second round
She was almost knocked out in the second round,
Alexandra Panova
She was almost knocked out in the second round, needing to save a pair of match points against qualifier Alexandra Panova.
Li Na took advantage of her second chance in Melbourne
And only last year Li Na took advantage of her second chance in Melbourne, fending off a match point in the third round before going on to capture a second grand slam title a week later.