Serena takes care of business
Melbourne, Australia — Serena Williams scrapped her way into the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, working around a misfiring serve and a rash of unforced errors to beat Barbora Strycova as the heat intensified on Monday.
She had a little bit of luck in some big moments, but created it herself by staying in points against the No. 16-ranked Strycova, who made the No. 2-ranked Williams engage in more and longer rallies than anyone so far in the tournament.
Despite the four service breaks (three in the first set), and with the fluky net cord and the offbalance, scrunched shoulder backhand that bounced flatly and clinched her the first set on her eighth set point, Williams found a way to win, 7-5, 6-4.
That keeps Williams on track in her bid for an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam title. If she gets there, the 35-year-old American will regain the No. 1 ranking as well.
“Everything is a bonus for me right now,” she said “It’s kind of a little relaxing.”
The victory by Williams brought back a little normalcy to the tournament.
Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber, the top seeds, were upset in the fourth round.
By the end of a chaotic first week at Melbourne Park, five-time finalist Murray had extended his Australian drought following a 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 loss to No. 50-ranked Mischa Zverev a matter of hours before defending women’s champion Kerber lost, 6-3, 6-2, to Co Co Vandeweghe in an upset that finished at six minutes past midnight.
“Right now I’m obviously very down,” Murray said. “This is tough.”