17th seed Serena Williams has issued a threat to her rivals at the US Open with a comprehensive 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, victory over Kaia Kanepi in the fourth round.
Competing in the last 16 of the tournament for the 17th time in her career, Williams demonstrated glimpses of her best tennis with an emphatic start to the match. Only for six-time grand slam quarter-finalist Kanepi to hit back. Despite the test, Williams prevailed with the help of 18 aces and 46 winners alongside 22 unforced errors.
“It wasn’t an easy match at all. She obviously knows how to play. She’s had a lot of big wins in her career and she has had a really good career.” Williams said during her post-match interview with Pam Shriver.
“We also always have really tough matches. I’m just happy to get through, to be honest. “
The start to the match was more like murder on the Arthur Ashe stadium. Kanepi’s run to the last 16 in the tournament has seen her knocked out world No.1 Simona Halep in the first round. Becoming the first player in history to do that in the women’s draw. Despite her credentials, Williams’ power was too superior. Allowing an at times tentative Kanepi to win just six points during the opening set. A stark contrast Williams’ 24 (of which 14 were winners). The 19-minute 6-0 lead was sealed with the help of back-to-back unforced errors from the Estonian player.
After her clinical start to the match, came a Kanepi fight back. The world No.44 began to hit the ball deeper towards the baseline to trigger mistakes from the 23-time grand slam champion. Granting her a break at the beginning of the second set. The dramatic change in the momentum continued with the underdog becoming the one dominating with some aggressive play. Hitting shots that even drew praise from the other side of the court. Despite having her 5-2 lead reduced to 5-4 due to a Williams resurgence, Kanepi held her nerve to take the match into a decider. Capitalizing in a Williams backhand error on her third set point opportunity.
Despite the threat posed by Kanepi, it was soon thwarted by the 36-year-old. As the decibel levels increased, Williams got off to a perfect start in set number three. Breaking immediately on route to a 3-0 lead. Continuing to weather the storm, the six-time champion raced towards the finish line. Sealing the victory with a love service game.
“I think the thing I have improved most is my fitness. I think coming back from having a baby is really hard. Harder than I thought.” Williams concluded about her current form.
“That what was the most important thing for me to improve was being fit and being able to play really long matches.
“Obviously there has been a lot of other things too, but that one stands out.”
In the quarter-finals the home favourite will take on Karolina Pliskova. The Czech eighth seed dismissed Ashleigh Barty 6-4, 6-4, in her fourth round match. Two years ago Williams was stunned in Flushing Meadows by Pliskova, who triumphed in straight sets. A performance she remembers fondly.
“I really was feeling great that year. I’m feeling great now, too.” Plikova told reporters on Sunday. “But it was a little bit of a different story, 2016. I was, like, the dark horse. Nobody was expecting me to get that far. But I just went on the court just to get the win.”
Williams is currently tied with Pliskova at 1-1 in their head-to-head.
