Here's a short story:

(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.  (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: Who has reached the Australian Open Final?
Guess: Maria Sharapova

Question: Who will she have to overcome?
Guess: Serena Williams

Question: Have they been rivals for a long time?
Guess: yes

Question: Who is number 1 in the world?
Guess: Serena Williams

Question: Who is ranked second?
Guess: second

Question: How many matches has Williams won against Sharapova?
Guess: 16

Question: How many in a row?
Guess: 15

Question: How many has she lost against Sharapova?
Guess: Two

Question: How many sets has she conceded?
Guess: Three

Question: What nationality is Sharapova?
Guess: Russian

Question: Where has Williams never lost a final?
Guess: Melbourne

Question: Who did she beat to make her record 11-0?
Guess: Madison Keys

Question: What has Sharapova failed to do?
Guess: failed to win a major outside Roland Garros in seven years

Question: What would some say she has on her side?
Guess: fate

Question: Who did Sharapova beat on Thursday?
Guess: Ekaterina Makarova

Question: What will she do to get the title?
Guess: everything she can

Question: What year did she last beat Williams?
Guess: 2004

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: What round was she nearly knocked out?

in the second round