It was Serena’s 18th consecutive win over Sharapova – she hasn’t lost to the Russian since 2004 – and further showed the gap between a healthy Williams and the rest of the world’s top women’s players.
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Ahead of the Williams-Sharapova showdown, Radwanska, a semi-finalist a year ago, said she did not mind who she faced in the last-four clash on Thursday. “I’ve battled them for the biggest titles in sport”, Djokovic said.
Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during in semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016.
Serena beat world number 5 on Tuesday to book her spot in the final four of the competition. It’s tough to sit here 30 minutes after the match and talk about the match, but that’s part of my job.
“I like the way she hits the ball”.
By the time her press conference had come around an hour later, it appeared the seven-time Wimbledon champion had delivered.
It’s what many expect from Williams in a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam event at this point.
“I was extra busy on my new collection that I’m starting”, said Williams, a some-times fashion designer, who is wearing one of own designs – a neon-yellow crop-top with pleated skirt – on the court in Melbourne. “I know Aga really well. I don’t see myself playing anything before Indian Wells [in March]”. “If I don’t have that chance then I don’t have the opportunity to try something different”. Kerber ousted Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.
“She’s been playing really well towards the end of the year, and already this year she’s been very consistent”, Williams said of the Pole, a friend off court.
Williams twice called for a trainer during the contest but allayed any concerns about injury, instead claiming she suffered food poisoning last week.
Sharapova has not only failed to beat Williams in recent years she has struggled even to stretch her, winning only three sets during the 18-match losing streak.
“I don’t think any style is good when Serena’s playing like that”. “But I needed it. I needed time off just to, like, take a minute and just chill and re-heal, get ready”. She barely got a backhand return to a Williams serve then stood, with slumping shoulders, and watched as the 34-year-old put the overhead smash away.
“She played quite explosive”.
But Williams is trying not to think too much about matching Graf’s 22 career titles.
“I definitely block it out”, Williams said in reply to a question about equaling Graf’s mark.
Remember last year’s French Open?
She has returned to the Australian Open as the overwhelming favorite, serving as strongly as ever and playing with intense power and focus.
With the roof on Rod Laver Arena closed because of a thunderstorm closing in, the most obvious noise in the first set was the chirping of trapped birds who’d taken shelter in the stadium.
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Despite knee problems in the build-up to Melbourne, Williams is now into her 26th Grand Slam final without dropping a set, and with the loss of just 26 games.
