Williams did not have it all her own way against a battling Gibbs, but secured the straight-sets win in just over an hour, 6-1, 6-3.
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“I was really challenged to play my best tennis”, Williams said.
It wouldn’t be a shock if Gavrilova struggled under the pressure in this if she gets close to the finish line – it is a trait she has exhibited many times throughout her young career.
Former pro Doug Adler was describing the aggressive tactics used by Williams during her Australian Open match against Stefanie Voegele when he made the remarks.
Venus Williams reached the quarter-finals thanks to her win over Mona Barthel 6/3 7/5.
The questioner aptly responded with an “I am sorry” and the issue was resolved then and there with Williams acknowledging the reporter’s apology and instant regret.
According to numerous reports, Adler was commentating Williams’ match on Wednesday when he said: “You’ll see Venus move in and puts the gorilla/guerrilla effect on”.
As such, a potential ninth showdown in a grand slam final, and second at Melbourne Park, between the American sisters could potentially be on the cards, though Venus sidestepped the question after her victory over Barthel.
“She makes the court feel very, very small”, Gibbs said.
Gibbs was a lesser-known, ranked and credentialled opponent than Williams’ first two, Belinda Bencic and Lucie Safarova, but the scoreline was not too dissimilar, and Serena’s satisfaction levels high as the second seed but title favourite edges towards grand slam singles crown No.23.
‘I was meant to do this’.
“The last thing I want to do is get into this sort of game of playing long rallies with him”.
Rafael Nadal and Australian legend Rod Laver were among those to hold a minute’s silence at the tournament’s centre court on Saturday.
“I have a lot of memories, because I, yeah, won it twice in juniors and was showing some good tennis, as well, also in the pros, but never achieved something, like, big here”.
Before this year, the 34-year-old Lucic-Baroni’s only previous win at the Australian Open came back in 1998.
Johanna Konta continued her red-hot form.
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“I guess I just feel more ready now mentally”.
