After winning the first six games of her semifinal match against No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska, Serena Williams began to show signs of tightness.
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Meanwhile fourth seed Radwanska said she was awe of the world No. 1, telling journalists that it would take something special to beat her in the final.
The numbers prove it: The 34-year-old vies for a record-equaling 22nd grand slam title Saturday when she tangles with German Angelique Kerber.
“She told me, ‘Congrats, ‘ and she is happy for me, and good luck in the finals”.
“I just feel like I’m playing the best I can and I can’t believe I’m in the final!” the 21-time Grand Slam champion said after the match.
Williams said she hasn’t thought about getting to 22 grand slam titles, pointing out that when she thought of 18 and tying legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, it stressed her out.
Radwanska could do nothing against an opponent playing on a different level, and only won seven points the entire set – four of them from Williams’ unforced errors.
With a powerful forehand victor, Williams soon had the first set in her favor 6-0 in just 20 minutes. But she’s got a big challenge ahead if she wants to emulate her idol Graf, the last German woman to claim the trophy. On hard courts, the closest Radwanska has got was in the semifinals of Toronto 2013 when she pushed Williams before losing 7-6(3), 6-4.
Play is under way at the Australian Open on Thursday, with a men’s doubles match involving Andy Murray’s older brother Jamie providing a prelude to the women’s singles semifinals.
Kerber visited Graf in Las Vegas early past year, and credits the four-time Australian Open champion for instilling belief in her abilities. Her first serve and forehand have also vastly improved in the past two years since they last met officially.
“She (Konta) is a tough opponent and she will win many tournaments in the future, for sure”.
Williams, who sat out what remained of last season after the US Open, said the extended break had helped her game.
“I needed time off just to take a minute and just chill and re-heal, get ready”, she said after the 64-minute battering of the Pole. “But I didn’t think I’d be doing so much, so fast; so thank you so much for all of your support”, she added, addressing the crowd.
It’s been two decades since Steffi Graf won her last Australian Open, but her presence looms large over Saturday’s final. She’ll play each Angelique Kerber of Germany or surprise first time semifinalist Johanna Konta of Great Britain, who play in the second semifinal.
Radwanka after the first set onslaught looked bemused and frustrated, before lifting in the second to hold serve on a few occasions and taking the lead on two occasions. I just remember her serving really well, her moving well, her being determined to win that.
“I have nothing to lose against Serena”, said the German.
“She started playing better”.
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Serena Williams’ break from tennis at the end of a year ago to “just chill” appeared to have done her a world of good as the rejuvenated American bulldozed her way into the Australian Open final on Thursday. “Her serve… you can not do anything”. One might say she is a one-woman history book.
