Serena Williams has continued her pursuit of a record seventh Australian Open singles title with a straight-sets quarter-final win over Johanna Konta.

Williams had too much firepower for the British ninth seed, winning 6-2 6-3 in 75 minutes at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

The 22-times grand slam champion will play unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni on Thursday, with the victor to play either Serena’s sister Venus or fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe in Saturday’s final.

Konta had been riding a nine-match winning streak entering her first career meeting with Williams, who admitted to being on guard against the WTA Tour’s most improved player.

“She s been playing so well. She’s been cleaning up her matches. I’ve been watching her in the locker room,” Williams said.

“She’s definitely a future champion here. I was just really happy to get through that.

“I just really tried to enjoy the moment out here and I did.”

In advancing to her 10th consecutive grand slam semi-final, the 35-year-old also completed the oldest Australian Open women’s last-four line-up in 40 years.

Before Williams takes on 34-year-old Lucic-Baroni, her older sister Venus, 36, will face fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe, a relative spring chicken at 25, in Thursday’s first semi-final.

“It’s really amazing. Thirty is the new 10,” said Williams, who labelled Lucic-Baroni’s revival as inspiring.

The Croatian last reached the semi-finals of a major as a teenager back in 1999.

“I’m so proud of Mirjana. She’s been playing so well,” Williams said.

“We played well over a decade ago. Oh my god, over two decades ago.

“No matter who wins, someone older than 34 will be in the final and that’s just great.”