Serena cruises into final
Williams makes short work of Radwanska, winning in 1 hour, 4minutes
melbourne, australia » Serena Williams gave another reminder of her dominance in women’s tennis with a 6- 0, 6- 4 win Wednesday in the Australian Open semifinals against Agnieszka Radwanska, who is soon to move to the No. 3 ranking.
Six- time champion Williams has never lost a semifinal or final at the Australian Open.
The first set was no contest, over in 20 minutes. Williams hit 18 winners and Radwanska, in her fifth major semifinal, had one. That matched last 1 hour, 4 minutes.
The second set was closer, with Radwanska holding serve three times and breaking Serena’s powerful serve once. But the 34year- oldWilliams lifted again to finish it off, winning the last eight points of the match and closing with three aces and a big forehand winner.
Despite her 21 major titles and all her success, it is a loss that is inspiring Williams in this tournament. She was two wins from a calendar- year Grand Slam in 2015when she lost to Roberta Vinci in the U. S. Open semifinals.
“Physically, I’m feeling better. Mentally, I needed that break after the Open,” she said, but “I didn’t think I would do this well this fast.
• Andy Murray and amuch lesser- known British player, Johanna Konta, advanced to the Australian Open semifinals.
Murray beat David Ferrer 6- 3, 6- 7 ( 5), 6- 2, 6- 3. Konta, who will be playing in her first major semifinal, had a 6- 4, 6- 1 win over Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai.
The No. 2- ranked Murray will meet Milos Raonic in the semifinals. The 25- year- old Canadian beat Gael Monfils 6- 3, 3- 6, 6- 3, 6- 4.
Konta will play German- born Angelique Kerber, with the winner facing Williams in the final.