Sloane Stephens of the USA pops a forehand on her way to victory, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia. She's into her first Australian Open quarterfinal. (Photo: William West, AFP/Getty Images) MELBOURNE, Australia — This much can be said of the intergenerational American clash between Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens in the Australian Open quarterfinals Wednesday: No baton will be gently passed. On Monday, third-seeded Williams cruised by No. 14 seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-2, 6-0 in 57 minutes to advance to her 35th major quarterfinal. Stephens, seeded 29th, reached her first final eight in a Grand Slam with a 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 win against Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia. DAY 8 ROUNDUP: Murray, Federer roll along True, the 15-time major winner Williams and her USA successor-to-be have become off-court friends during the past 12 months. PHOTOS: Australian Open Week 1 But a different subplot surfaced in their first meeting earlier this month in the semifinals at Brisbane, where Stephens traded baseline blows with Williams in a tight 6-4, 6-3 loss. During one changeover, Stephens was heard on camera complaining to her coach that Williams' celebrations were "disrespectful." She later said her comments were meant to let off steam. "Serena's fired up to play everybody, and it's going to be even exacerbated in a Grand Slam scenario," said Tennis Channel commentator Lindsay Davenport. "But Sloane is a tough cookie." Serena Williams of the USA is on her way to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-0 win against Maria Kirilenko of Russia. (Photo: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images) At first blush, Williams-Stephens looks like a generational changing of the guard rather than a rivalry in the making. Williams is 31; Stephens is 19. Then again, Williams is a fresh 30-something. The reigning Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Olympic gold medalist has shown she is more than capable of dialing in the same brand of dominant tennis she inflicted on the women's tour a decade ago during her four consecutive Grand Slam titles of 2002-03. Stephens — who was ranked No. 97 at the start of 2012 and now is guaranteed to become the No. 2 American woman behind Williams and break into the top 20 next week — has progressed at a clip that could have her contending for big titles long before Williams calls it quits. "She is a very mature girl," said Stephens' USTA coach David Nainkin, who praised the Floridian's rapid adjustment to tour life. Both players are outgoing and like to wisecrack — and each did so during their news conferences Monday. Stephens said by reaching the quarterfinals she had won a bet with her agent, who would have to travel "exclusively" with her pink, purple and yellow luggage. She also told of a friendly rankings wager with fellow American Sam Querrey and joked that she had already one-upped him by reaching the last eight at a Slam, something the 22nd-ranked Querrey has not. Williams melted into a ball of giggles recounting the first time she noticed Stephens. "I saw her in the locker room," she said. "She was another black girl. I was like, 'Hey!' That's when I first noticed her. What up, girl?" The veil of distance that once shrouded their relationship has eased. A year ago here, Stephens described Williams in deity-like terms — "the tennis god," to be exact. But as they have become closer via team competitions such as Fed Cup Stephens has had a peek at the man behind the curtain. Asked if it would be difficult to face a 15-time Grand Slam titlist, Stephens listed other champions equally worthy of her respect. "It just happens to be Serena," said Stephens, turning serious. "She's obviously one of the greatest players to ever play the game. You have to go out and play your game, no matter what. Without the titles, with the titles. ... The court's the same size. You're still playing a regular person across the net." PHOTOS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN WEEK 2 Story Highlights
