16th seed Serena Williams has fired a warning shot to the rest of the draw at the Australian Open after downing world No.1 Simona Halep 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, in the fourth round.
Gunning after a record-equalling 24th grand slam title in Melbourne, the 37-year-old went off guns blazing before engaging in an almighty tug of war with her opponent. The pair lit up the Rod Laver Arena with a series of gut-busting baseline rallies that featured numerous angle shots. Williams prevailed with the help of nine aces and 44 winners to progress to the last eight in Melbourne for the 12th time in her career.
“It was a really intense match and there were some incredible points. But, you know, I love playing tennis and I love being out here (on court).” Williams said during her on-court interview.
“It’s really cool to be back out here and playing on this court.”
The highly anticipated clash between two of the top players on the women’s tour turned out to be a Williams annihilation at first. The power of the 23-time grand slam champion overwhelmed Halep as she roared through the first set in just 20 minutes. Making the world No.1 look extremely ordinary. After dropping her opening service game, Williams went on to win six games in a row. Hitting the ball deep towards the baseline and using angle shots to move her opponent around the court. The clinical first set was closed out with a 177 km/h ace out wide from Williams.
Following her comprehensive start, Williams soon encountered some stiff resistance from Halep in set number two. Drawing applause from the Melbourne crowd who were cheering for a competitive match. The Romanian began to capitalize on errors made from across the court as she matched Williams game-by-game.
The resurgence of the top seed eventually rewarded her as she tamed Williams’ aggressiveness on the court. Boasting a 5-4 lead in the second, a double-handed backhand down the line granted Halep break point and the chance to take proceedings into a decider. She was able to seize the moment with the help of a Williams error on the following point. Prompting a mini celebration by Halep.
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, both women illustrated their highest level of tennis throughout the decider. Williams’ lightning shots was muzzled by some emphatic play from Halep. Six games into the deciding set, Williams fended off a trio of break points during a marathon service game to keep her chances alive. A game later, she secured the break for 4-3 with the help of a Halep forehand slamming into the net. That break was enough as the American rallied towards the finish line. Sealing the win on her first match point after a Halep forehand drifted long.
“I really needed to elevate my game. She’s (Halep) the number one player in the world and there’s a reason why. She’s just a great player.” The 37-year-old reflected about her performance.
“In order to stay out there I had to play a little like I knew I could and I did. I think that was the difference.”
Williams’ reward is a showdown with Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday. The Czech seventh seed crushed Garbine Muguruza in her fourth round match earlier in the day. It will be the fourth meeting between the two with Williams leading their head-to-head 2-1.
“If Serena is playing at her best, then it’s tough because she can serve, put a lot of pressure on her returns, but she can also miss. So we will see.” Pliskova commented about the upcoming match.
The win is Williams’ first over a world No.1 player since Victoria Azarenka at the 2013 Brisbane International.
