WTA US Open: Serena Williams storms over Svitolina to catch Chris Evert
Serena Williams will turn 38 in 20 days time but that is just a number for her, still playing on a very high level and challenging much younger competitors. Serena is through to her 33rd Grand Slam final (the second-best result of all time) following a one-sided 6-3, 6-1 victory over the 5th seed Elina Svitolina in 70 minutes, moving into the tenth US Open final and catching Chris Evert with 101 triumphs in New York. Making a debut here way back in 1998, Serena played in the first US Open title match two decades ago and she is now through to another one, dominating against Svitolina from start to finish in what was her tenth consecutive semi-final at home Major! Elina played well to reach the last four but stood no chance today, wasting all six opportunities for a break and giving serve away three times to propel Serena into the final against Belinda Bencic or Bianca Andreescu.
Williams had 33 winners and 20 unforced errors, taming her shots beautifully and never stepping back against one of the best baseliners in the game to mount the entire pressure on her. The American fended off three break chances in the first game to avoid a shaky start, prevailing in a marathon second game with a backhand return winner to steal Svitolina's serve and move 2-0 up. Serving at 3-1, Serena repelled three more break chances and sailed through games seven and nine to close the opener with a service winner after 41 minutes.
Elina was never a contender in set number two, taking three points on the return and suffering three straight breaks to push Serena into another title match, unable to match the rival's pace and stay on the title course. Hitting with depth and precision from both wings, Williams grabbed a break in the third game of the second set and extended the gap when Elina sprayed a forehand error in game five, holding at 15 in the next game thanks to a forehand down the line winner and forcing Svitolina to serve to stay in the match. The Ukrainian couldn't do anything to prolong the encounter, allowing Serena to seal the deal with a backhand down the line winner and get a chance to fight for the seventh US Open crown on Saturday.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2NS7MfZ
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