Injury-free Williams eyesy up record

TENNIS: After months of torment, Serena Williams can see light – and Margaret Court’s grand slam record – at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Finally injury-free after struggling with knee soreness, the 37-year-old American is within two wins of reaching Court’s tally of 24 majors.

Williams, who faces Czech veteran Barbora Strycova for a place in Saturday’s final, clearly believes an eighth Wimbledon crown is within grasp after a season filled with frustration.

“This is the first time since Australia that I actually felt, like, good,” she said after reaching tonight’s semi-finals.

“It’s been a really, really long year for me already, and a hard year, because I’m usually not Women’s semi-final

S Williams (USA) v B Strycova (CZE)

E Svitolina (UKR) v

S Halep (ROM)

WATCH ON FOX SPORTS

typically injured. Now that I feel good, I can actually focus on training and technique and practice, something that I just literally haven’t been able to do a lot of.”

Williams scrambled into the last four with a 6-4 4-6 6-3 victory over compatriot Alison Riske as Strycova put Konta to the sword 7-6 (7-5) 6-1.

The winner of the Williams and Strycova clash will meet either former world No.1 Simona Halep or eighth seed Elina Svitolina in the final.

Halep overwhelmed Zhang Shuai 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 after trailing 4-1 (40-15) before Svitolina ousted Karolina Muchova 7-5 6-4.

As accomplished as the three other semi-finalists are, Williams towers over the opposition in terms of profile and achievement.

Williams clearly means business.

“I believe in myself. I believe if I’m feeling well, I can be a big competitor in a sport that I love and I’ve done so well at,” she said. “So just the key word is getting fit and getting back into match play injury-free.”

— Leo Schlink NBA Summer League – Magic v Nets: 7.30am Poker – World Series of Poker: 10am

WSL – J-bay Open: 4pm Cricket World Cup – Semi Final, Australia v England: 6.30pm

PGA – Scottish Open, Round 1: 7.30pm