Williams eyes 24th grand slam after fighting for life

The 36-year-old developed complications during childbirth

Serena Williams choked back tears as she contemplated the year-long journey that has taken her from fighting for her life in a hospital bed to the verge of history.

Williams overwhelmed Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 6-0 to reach her 31st grand slam singles final.

There she will face a first-timer 16 years her junior in Naomi Osaka, who grew up idolising the woman she must now try to beat.

Williams never expressed any doubt she would return to the game following the birth of her daughter Olympia last September but that seemed an awfully long way away when she developed lifethreatening complications.

The 36-year-old said: “It’s really incredible. A year ago I was literally fighting for my life after I had the baby.

“Every time I step out on this court, I am so grateful I have an opportunity to play this sport.

“No matter what happens in any match – semis, final – I feel like I’ve already won.”

Williams has dropped only one set in the tournament and, although she was similarly dominant in getting to the Wimbledon final only to lose heavily to Angelique Kerber, she looks to have moved up several notches.

It was her net play that impressed the most against the wily Sevastova, a 28-year-old Latvian appearing in her first slam semi-final, who won the first two games and then only one of the next 13.

Williams came to the net 28 times and won 24 of the points, not giving her opponent a chance to disrupt her rhythm.

Frighteningly for the rest of the women’s game as Williams chases the title that would equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 slam singles crowns, she does not believe she is yet back to anything like her best.

Williams put her current level at only 50% or 60%.

She said: “I definitely don’t feel myself yet. My mom said it takes a full year to get back. I’m at a full year now. But I’m also playing a sport professionally.

“Even my body is different. I actually weigh less than I did before I got pregnant but it’s distributed differently now.

“This is the beginning. I’m not there yet. I’m on the climb still.”

Osaka spent the formative years of her childhood living in New York and first came to Flushing Meadows as a fan hoping to catch a glimpse of Williams.

Osaka was only a year old when Williams won her first slam title here in 1999.

Now, 19 years later, she will try to become the first Japanese woman to win a grand slam singles title.

l Mike Bryan and Jack Sock won their second consecutive grand slam men’s doubles title, beating Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo 6-3 6-1.

Bryan had won all his previous 16 titles with twin brother Bob, who has been off the tour since May after undergoing hip surgery.

Bryan and Sock dropped only one set on their way to the trophy.