Serena Williams edged past Maria Sakkari 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 to reach her 17th US Open quarter-final.
The 23-time grand slam champion had to battle her way past the determined Sakkari in 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Three breaks of serve secured redemption for Serena over her ‘Cincinnati’ loss and her 100th match win on Arthur Ashe stadium.
In her 17th US Open Quarter-Final, she will play Alize Cornet or Tsvetana Pironkova.
In their second meeting in a space of a couple of weeks, both players started serving immaculately despite some early Serena double faults in the opening game.
Both players knew each other’s game pretty well and Sakkari was making use of her speed early in the match to force deep shots onto Serena.
While the 23-time grand slam champion didn’t create the consistent power needed to break down the resilient Greek player early on.
Some incredible angles from both sides abled Sakkari to dictate points and in the fifth game earned a 0-40 lead on the Serena serve.
However five points in a row through some impressive serving saw Serena survive.
Then like all champions do the third seed lifted her game to the next level adding another 10mph to her forehand ensuring the pressure mounted on Sakkari.
After five deuces and on third break point, Serena penetrated her forehand forcing some Sakkari errors for the break and a 4-2 lead.
From then, Serena remained consistently on top with her groundstrokes and despite a first serve percentage of 46% took the first set in 38 minutes.
The second set saw both players defend their serve well with Sakkari’s serve down the T causing Serena problems.
Meanwhile Serena wasn’t letting her Greek opponent create any chances as some clutch serving in the crucial points proved too powerful.
Serena’s first serve percentage rose by 14% as she increased her power and accuracy as the set went on.
There were no break points created until the 12th game as a deep return and a lucky net cord set up an opportunity for Sakkari to steal the set.
However two big serves saved the two break points from Sakkari as the second went to a tiebreak.
After heading into a 4-0 lead, Sakkari got a little bit passive and couldn’t convert two set points at 6-4 up.
However some aggressive and bold play from the world number 22 meant two consecutive points to take the tiebreak 8-6 and force a final set.
The 15th seed finally found some of her best tennis of the tournament as she continued her momentum in the final set with a break of serve.
Sakkari picked her spots and was recovering balls at a much quicker speed as she picked apart Serena at the net.
However Serena is a 23-time grand slam champion for a reason and she came back into the match with some aggressive return mixed with avoidable Sakkari errors. A break back in the fourth game saw the set level at 2-2.
A pivotal moment in the final set proved to be in the seventh game as at 30-30 on her serve, Serena blasted a 124 MPH down the court to seal a crucial hold.
Serena turned up on the big points and was even more aggressive as she would break in the next game as her aggression forced a costly error from Sakkari.
In the end Serena’s power overcame Sakkari’s grit and speed as a powerful backhand secured a 17th US Open Quarter-Final for Serena Williams.
Despite breaking new records, Serena doesn’t think about the numbers and is focused on the next match, “I don’t think about it (the numbers) to be honest,” Serena said in her post-match interview.
“It’s like we’re just playing, having fun and we’re just literally out here doing our best at the moment.
“I just kept fighting. She was doing so well and being aggressive I knew that I needed to do the same thing.”
A thrilling match from both players with both players showcasing power and agility but in the end experience wins and Serena gets her revenge.
Next up for Serena is Alize Cornet or Tsvetana Pironkova.
