SAs the biggest women star, erena Williams continues to be involved in the title race of this extraordinary US Open. One day after the scandal with the disqualification of top favorite Novak Djokovic in the men’s race, the 38-year-old American avoided an early exit. With 6: 3, 6: 7 (6: 8), 6: 3 Williams decided the revenge against the Greek Maria Sakkari on Monday in New York and made the quarter-finals perfect despite considerable problems.
“I just kept fighting. She played so well. I knew I had to do that too, “said Williams, who had to make up a break deficit in the decisive round:” I’m definitely match-fit, “she announced.
On Wednesday, the former long-standing number one in the world will face the French Alizé Cornet or Zwetana Pironkowa from Bulgaria and thus in any case with an unseeded player. Actually, the best prospects to move one step closer to their 24th Grand Slam title.
Williams fends off four set balls
But doubts as to whether she can achieve her great goal of increasing her trophy collection at the four most important tennis tournaments and catching up with the Australian Margaret Court, has not been able to completely dispel the long-standing number one in the competitive game. But it is precisely this record that still drives Williams as a mother and soon 39-year-old.
Against the 15th seeded Sakkari, she lost control at the end of the second set. At the beginning of the second Grand Slam week in the almost deserted Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams cried out several times – with relief or despair. Williams fended off four set balls from the 13-year-old Greek, with the fifth she conceded the set compensation.
In the week before the US Open, Williams had lost to Sakkari in the preparatory tournament. On the same course in Flushing Meadows, when they meet in the round of 16. In the third set she had no chance, had cramps. It felt like “when you meet a shit guy”, it doesn’t make sense and it is frustrating, she had complained afterwards.
Right at the beginning of the decisive round, the younger Williams sister cheered herself on with a loud “Come on”. As if she wanted to convey that this time she would be spared the fate of the past duel. But then Williams conceded her first break of the game in the first game, but fought her way back to 2-2. The six-time US Open winner took the Greek’s serve to 5: 3 and made it through after 2:28 hours.
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