USA TODAY International Edition
Serena joins Venus in quarterfinals
Serena: Playing at high level in 30s ‘ impressive’
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA There’s an old adage that you’re only as young as you feel. In Serena Williams’ mind, that computes to an age that doesn’t even record in double digits.
“Venus and I are mentally 8 or 9, so that’s why we’re probably able to play a little better,” said a laughing 35- year- old Serena, one year younger than sister Venus.
The second seed responded to a question as to whether it was surprising that the best sister combo ever are not only still in the game but also playing championship- quality tennis.
“I think it’s impressive,” Serena said after she fought off tenacious 16th seed Barbora Strycova 7- 5, 6- 4 in the fourth round. “I think, in general, people our age aren’t really playing at a top level, so indeed it’s definitely impressive.”
Clearly in a good mood, Williams even offered another nugget into her relationship with Reddit co- owner and fiancé Alexis Ohanian. She chatted about their unscheduled first encounter at a restaurant in Rome a couple of years ago — there was no thirdparty introduction, no similar function attended, no online dating involved.
“( It was) literally by chance,” she said. “I was sitting down, and he sat next to me. That doesn’t happen anymore, right? I live in a movie, and in a fairy tale in my mind, so I guess eventually it was bound to happen.”
One thing that isn’t at all based in any romantic fantasy is the career she’s carved out at the top of the game.
At the moment, Williams shares the Open era record of 22 Grand Slam tournament singles titles with Steffi Graf. But there’s a difference between these two in raking in those major trophies.
Graf was nine days shy of her 30th birthday when she won her sixth French Open trophy, which would be the last major victory of her career. A couple of months later she announced her retirement and would soon marry Andre Agassi and have two children.
In contrast, Williams has won nine of her Grand Slam titles since turning 30, with the last being her seventh career Wimbledon victory in July.
Williams is into her 10th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, which translates as a steppingstone to her journeying to at least the semifinals in every major since the 2014 U. S. Open.
What’s at stake for Williams in the Australian Open is obviously the goal of earning a 23rd Grand Slam title, which would move her ahead of Graf and within striking distance of Australian Margaret Court’s overall record of 24 Grand Slam singles trophies.
But a seventh victory at Melbourne Park for Williams — she already holds the tournament record with six titles — would see her dethrone Angelique Kerber from the No. 1 ranking. The only time that Williams lost a final in the Australian Open was last year, when Kerber upset her to win a first career Grand Slam title.
Strycova, 30, was the first player in the tournament to offer a stern challenge to Williams.
Normally notable for her serve, the shot was troubling for Williams on Monday as she had a 45% first- serve percentage. She offered Strycova six- break point opportunities, and the Czech took advantage of four.
Closing down the first set took patience as Williams needed eight set points before finding success.
It was an odd set point that she won on — she was back- footed and awkwardly just managed to hit a backhand that landed over the net.
Williams served for the match at 5- 3 in the second set but had to wait to break Strycova’s serve in the next game to finally take the win in 1 hour, 45 minutes.
The quarterfinals will present a new face for Williams.
For the first time in their careers, Williams will play 25- yearold Johanna Konta of Britain. Konta earned her quarterfinal berth via a 6- 1, 6- 4 win against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.