'Absolutely incredible': Serena Williams makes history in US Open 'smackdown'
Serena Williams has earned herself a fourth shot at equalling Margaret Court's all-time record 24 grand slam singles crowns with a steely US Open semi-final win over Elina Svitolina.
Bidding to become the oldest major champion in tennis history, Williams advanced to her 10th final in New York with a 6-3 6-1 victory over the Ukrainian world No.5 on Thursday night.
It was her 101st victory at the US Open - equalling the record held by Chris Evert.
US Open victories in singles - women
101 Chris Evert
101 Serena Williams
89 Martina Navratilova
79 Venus Williams
73 Steffi Graf— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) September 6, 2019
Turning 38 this month, Williams will play 19-year-old Canadian sensation Bianca Andreescu in Saturday's title match.
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Andreescu, who started the year ranked 178th in the world but is guaranteed to leave New York in the top 10, has never contested a grand slam final before.
Williams, though, is vowing not to underestimate her final foe, having already suffered the disappointment of losing all three major finals she's made since the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia two years ago.
The American succumbed to Naomi Osaka in last year's drama-charged US Open decider, in which Williams received a game penalty deep that precipitated an extraordinary meltdown in the second set, and lost the 2018 and 2019 Wimbledon finals to Angelique Kerber and Simon Halep respectively.
There was never a hint of the six-times champion ever losing focus against Svitolina.
Williams jumped out to a 3-0 lead before taking the opening set in 41 minutes.
The match was all but over after the eighth seed secured a double break in the second set, then closed it out after one hour and 10 minutes to qualify for a record 33rd grand slam singles final.
Tennis world in awe of ‘incredible’ Serena
Fans and pundits are running out of superlatives.
What an absolutely incredible performance @serenawilliams 😍👌🏻💪🏻 Flawless performance - plus I just LIVE for your facial expressions @alexisohanian 😂😂 #Serena #USOpen2019 #GOAT
— Andrew (@rooo_210) September 6, 2019
Serena Williams just played a very top 5 player, who had an incredible #USOpen, and made it a smackdown.
When the 🐐 is on like that, no one can beat her #RenasArmy pic.twitter.com/e4i7XY6wGU— Ali Donaldson (@AliCDonaldson) September 6, 2019
Serena Williams on the path to history, defeats Svitolina and advances to the finals of the #USOpen.pic.twitter.com/BEguZXaVMs
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 6, 2019
A solid, strong, swift match from Serena, giving Svitolina no chance in the second set
It's her fourth Major since return, second straight Slam final of 2019 & second straight at #USOpen, yet her level always amazes me.
She keeps the 24 dream alive!https://t.co/MffprqecbG— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) September 6, 2019
Serena Williams reached the final in 4 of the last 6 Grand Slams.
She gave bith two years ago, weeks away from turning 36.
It all feels so natural, but's it's not. It's incredible.— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 6, 2019
Flawless tennis...
🇺🇸Serena Williams defeats Svitolina and will await the winner of Andreescu/Bencic in the US Open final! pic.twitter.com/QH0BCio5kj— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2019
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