Serena fights forward

Williams holds off Riske in three sets

Serena Williams is still alive. Williams withstood a late surge from American upstart Alison Riske in the Wimbledon quarterfinals Tuesday to hold on to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win — moving one step closer to what would be her 24th career Grand Slam tournament singles title.

The 37-year-old will face Barbora Strýcová in the semifinal round Thursday.

“I needed to just fight,” Williams told reporters after the match. “Alison, she played so great throughout the whole tournament . ... She was not giving it to me. I needed to step up and take it.”

In a back-and-forth match that served in many ways as a clash of styles, Williams overcame a shift in momentum late in the second set and rallied to break Riske in the third. Riske, 29, was making her first trip to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event in what was her 30th attempt.

While Riske largely opted for low, angular shots throughout the match, Williams won with power and a few wellplaced drop shots late in the third set. All told, she racked up 49 winners and 19 aces, including one to end the match.

“Serena really upped her level,” Riske said, “as only a champion would.”

Williams reached the final at Wimbledon last year but lost to Angelique Kerber. She’s won the tournament seven times in her career, most recently in 2016. An eighth title this week would move her into a tie with Margaret Court for the most career Grand Slam women’s singles titles with 24.

Williams is also pursuing a mixed doubles title at the All England Club this week. She and partner Andy Murray beat Fabrice Martin and Raquel Atawo 7-5, 6-3 later Tuesday to advance to the third round.

SUSAN MULLANE/USA TODAY SPORTS With Tuesday’s victory, Serena Williams is two match wins away from her eighth Wimbledon title and 24th Grand Slam title.