VENUS WILLIAMS advanced to her first Australian Open semi-final since 2003 with a straight-sets win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday.
The American seven-time major champion was too good for Pavlyuchenkova in a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) victory in their quarter-final in Melbourne.
For the first time since she was runner-up in 2003, Williams is into the last four at the year's opening grand slam.
Pavlyuchenkova, playing her fourth major quarter-final, let her chances slip in a match with few extended rallies on Rod Laver Arena.
As both players tried to take the upper-hand early in points, only eight were of nine or more shots.
Williams executed the better of the pair, setting up a last-four clash against either Coco Vandeweghe or Garbine Muguruza, after Pavlyuchenkova gave up leads in both sets.
Pavlyuchenkova had taken a 2-1 lead in the first set by breaking Williams, only for two double faults in the next game to see that advantage disappear.
With the Russian 24th seed unable to consolidate another break later in the set, Williams broke decisively to take it in the 10th game with a backhand winner down the line.
The trend continued in the second set as Pavlyuchenkova coughed up two break leads, Williams at one stage winning nine consecutive points.
Pavlyuchenkova went 3-1 ahead in the tie-break, only to lose six straight points – completed with a double fault.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Williams [13] bt Pavlyuchenkova [24] 6-4 7-6 (7-3)
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Williams – 35/29
Pavlyuchenkova – 17/32
ACES
Williams – 4
Pavlyuchenkova – 3
BREAK POINTS WON
Williams – 5/10
Pavlyuchenkova – 4/6
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Williams – 61
Pavlyuchenkova – 59
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Williams – 57/59
Pavlyuchenkova – 59/32
TOTAL POINTS
Williams – 83
Pavlyuchenkova – 69
Astro Arena
Tue Jan 24 2017
Venus Williams of the US celebrates winning her Women's singles quarter-final match against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. - REUTERS/Jason Reed
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Selasa, 17 September 2024.
Warga emas maut dihempap pokok
Seorang lelaki warga emas maut manakala cucunya cedera apabila dihempap pokok tumbang ketika sedang berkhemah.
Tumpuan Rabu – 18 September 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
Belanjawan 2025: Kerajaan fokus strategi stabilkan inflasi - Fadillah
Kerajaan Persekutuan akan memfokus kepada beberapa strategi dalam menstabilkan inflasi sekali gus menangani cabaran kenaikan kos sara hidup rakyat dalam Belanjawan 2025.
Ketua Menteri Delhi Kejriwal letak jawatan, pembantu utama sebagai pengganti
Ketua menteri Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, meletak jawatan pada Selasa dan digantikan oleh pembantu utamanya Atishi Marlena.
AWANI 7:45 [17/09/2024] - Definasi halal semakin berkembang | Tiada sejarah ke luar negara | Ibu bapa sudah dikenal pasti | Jumlah mangsa meningkat
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Essan Yahya;
1. Sijl halal bukan lagi soal babi dan alkohol, kata PM
2. Kes terbaharu mpox di Malaysia
3. 392 kanak-kanak jadi mangsa GISBH, ada ibu bapa enggan akui anak
4. Banjir di Kedah dan Pulau Pinang semakin memburuk
1. Sijl halal bukan lagi soal babi dan alkohol, kata PM
2. Kes terbaharu mpox di Malaysia
3. 392 kanak-kanak jadi mangsa GISBH, ada ibu bapa enggan akui anak
4. Banjir di Kedah dan Pulau Pinang semakin memburuk
AWANI Ringkas: Tujuh PPS dibuka di Pulau Pinang
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
LLB beri amaran jangan hampiri pantai, R&R Bagan Ajam
Gabungan air pasang besar berserta hujan lebat dan ribut menyebabkan fenomena ombak besar yang menghempas kawasan tepi laut Pulau Pinang terutama di sekitar Pantai Bersih.
Banjir di Kedah semakin memburuk, bilangan mangsa cecah 1,018 orang
Situasi banjir di Kedah makin memburuk selepas bilangan mangsa mencecah 1,018 orang daripada 268 keluarga yang ditempatkan di 11 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) di negeri ini.
PM mahu persediaan mantap dilakukan menjelang kepengerusian ASEAN 2025
Perdana Menteri berkata Malaysia perlu menjadi peneraju hebat dengan menyusun pelbagai program yang benar-benar memberi kesan mendalam kepada komuniti ASEAN secara keseluruhannya.