-Serena Williams on Monday beat world No 1 beat Simona Halep 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at the Australian Open
-The win sees her move a step closer to clinching a record 24th Grand Slam Title
– It is the most significant win since she returned to the court after childbirth
– She will face Karolina Pliskova, the seventh seed, in the quarter-finals
Serena Williams on Monday took a bold step in inching closer to winning her 24th Grand Slam singles title after defeating world No 1 Simona Halep, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, in keenly contested slugfest.
The 37 year old Tennis legend made the ultimate statement by beating the world No 1 in a widely talked about match, and has now moved on to the quarter-final of the Australian Open.
Serena was put under severe pressure by the Romanian, but Williams showed that she has not lost the ability to lift herself at the crucial times, and reminded her fans and naysayers of why she had 23 grand slam titles prior.
Another severe test awaits, against big-serving seventh seed Karolina Pliskova, who was impressive in beating Jo Konta’s late-night conqueror Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-1.
Talking about the match Williams said:
“It was a really intense match and some incredible points but I love playing tennis and being out here,’ said Williams. ‘I really needed to elevate my game, I had to play like I knew I could and that was hopefully the difference.”
This was Williams’ first match against a world No 1 since returning to the tour following childbirth. She was facing the speedy Romanian for the 10th time, having won 8-1 record in their previous meetings.
“I’m such a fighter I just never give up. It’s a miracle that I’m here,” she said, before joking about how her daughter’s love for Disney films keeps her up at night.
“I get to do something I enjoy. This is my job, my job is to come out and play in front of you and that keeps me motivated to keep trying and keep fighting for literally every point.”
Williams added.
Today’s win is also the first tournament Williams has played in Melbourne since she won the title in 2017, shortly after learning she was pregnant with her daughter, Olympia Ohanian, now 1. Monday was the first time facing a No. 1 seed since she returned from maternity leave last year.
Williams made the finals at last season’s Wimbledon and at the United States Open, where she lost the final to Naomi Osaka of Japan in a swirl of controversy and accusations of sexism. Osaka also advanced in Melbourne on Monday, defeating Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.)
Williams has played a limited schedule since giving birth, and she now ranks at No. 16.
