Serena Williams outlasted big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday in a three-set thriller to make the Australian Open quarter-finals, holding her chase for a record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam title on monitor. The American withstood a barrage from the seventh seed to prevail 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 9 minutes and arrange a mouth-watering conflict with both world quantity two Simona Halep or French Open champion Iga Swiatek. “I’m completely satisfied to get by, I knew it was going to be powerful,” mentioned Williams, who hit 30 winners.
“I misplaced the second set however the video games have been shut. I simply tried to remain in there.”
Williams, 39, had by no means earlier than performed the Belarusian, who has collected extra trophies than anybody else since final 12 months French Open however by no means reached the quarter-finals of a Slam.
Sabalenka, who has spoken about modelling her big-hitting sport on Williams, confirmed off her energy with blistering serves and groundstrokes within the high-octane contest.
A composed Williams, watched by older sister Venus within the stands, counter-attacked beautifully within the early levels and broke Sabalenka’s serve within the tenth sport to win the opening set.
Sabalenka, who was born 4 months after Williams made her Grand Slam debut in 1998, was unperturbed and stepped up her assault to dominate Williams’s normally dependable serve.
A boisterous Sabalenka supplied the histrionics in an empty Rod Laver Enviornment with followers barred till a minimum of Thursday as a consequence of Melbourne’s snap, five-day lockdown.
The 22-year-old admonished herself earlier than drawing stage by pouncing on Williams’s faltering first serve, which she landed simply 36 p.c of the time within the second set.
Williams regrouped and raced to a commanding 4-1 lead within the third set as a annoyed Sabalenka slammed her racquet to the bottom because the match started to slide away.
Sabalenka gained three straight video games to get again on phrases however Williams’s expertise noticed her by as she maintained her unbeaten run since rising from 14-day quarantine in Australia.
Promoted
The seven-time Australian Open champion has been battling shoulder and Achilles niggles however moved round sharply other than an ungainly tumble within the second set.
She has misplaced 4 Grand Slam finals whereas chasing Margaret Courtroom’s all-time file of 24 Grand Slam singles titles since her final main victory at Melbourne Park in 2017 when pregnant.
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