Serena earns 700th career victory

Serena Williams abused her racket, scolded herself and even made angry faces at the sun. In the end, she took out her frustration on the ball. The seven-time Key Biscayne champion overcame her annoyance and shaky play Wednesday for her 700th career victory, beating Sabine Lisicki 7- 6 (4), 1- 6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open.

Williams won despite an unreliable serve, a poor second set and 51 unforced errors. She looked flatfooted and listless at times, and seemed especially vexed when playing on the side looking into the sun.

“It’s always tough on that side,” she said. “You just don’t see. You just have to adjust.”

She did, earning her 16th consecutive victory on Key Biscayne, where she’s the two-time defending champion.

Two-time champion Andy Murray advanced to the men’s semifinals by rallying past unseeded Dominic Thiem 3- 6, 6-4, 6-1. Murray’s opponent Friday will be No. 8 Tomas Berdych, who beat unseeded Juan Monaco 6-3, 6- 4.

Williams improved her career record to 700-120, making her the eighth woman in the Open Era to reach the milestone. She was presented with a cake on the court, similar to the honor Murray received following his 500th victory Tuesday. Defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the Alabama squad Saturday af ter assault allegations but the woman who filed the charges recanted her story on Wednesday.