Unstoppable Serena Tears Through US Open, Sets Record-Breaking Sight
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has left her opponents in the dust, storming into the US Open semifinals with a dominating win over Wang Qiang. The Chinese ace was no match for the American powerhouse, who clinched the victory in just 44 minutes with a swift 6-1, 6-0 triumph.
This brilliant performance marks Serena's 100th win at the US Open and places her second in history, just behind the legendary Chris Evert's 101 record points. In an interview before her match, a humbled Williams acknowledged the milestone, expressing her amazement at reaching such a milestone.
"Honestly, I never thought I'd reach 100. I never thought I'd be here still. I love what I do. I love spending time with you guys. It's a special feeling. I don't ever want to stop."
Serena's spectacular show on the court was nothing short of breathtaking. She claimed 90% of her first serve points, won every breakpoint opportunity, and racked up 25 winners while committing just 10 unforced errors. Meanwhile, Wang failed to secure a single point during the game.
"I couldn't handle her power," Wang admitted afterward, shaking her head. "It's too much for me."
Rumors of Williams' knee troubles seemed to be quelled by her commanding performance, particularly after her hard-fought victory against Petra Martic in the round of 16.
"To be honest, it feels great," Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou shared with ESPN before her match. "We didn't expect this. She's had numerous treatments and is currently experiencing no pain or discomfort. She's moving freely and we won't face any issues."
Williams, who remains an 8th-seeded player, is the only female contender in the singles tournament who has previously won a Grand Slam title. She will now face 5th seed Elina Svitolina from Ukraine, who has also advanced to her second Grand Slam semifinal this year.
The 37-year-old American hopes to secure her first Grand Slam title since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was pregnant with her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., who celebrates her second birthday this coming Sunday. If Williams wins the US Open this weekend, she will tie Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles in the sport's history.
As a six-time US Open champion, Williams has finished runner-up on three different occasions, including the tumultuous 2018 final against Naomi Osaka, during which her heated exchange with chair umpire Carlos Ramos resulted in him being labeled a "thief" by the outspoken athlete.
Enrichment (Integrated where applicable):
Serena Williams needs just one more Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court's remarkable record of 24 Grand Slam victories. At the time of her US Open semifinal victory against Elina Svitolina, Serena had 23 Grand Slam titles in her trophy case.
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Did You Know?
Did you know that Serena Williams' US Open appearance in 2021 marks her 24th consecutive appearance in the tournament? This streak is unprecedented in women's tennis history. If she wins one more Grand Slam title to tie Margaret Court's record, she will likely break the 24-year streak as well.
Side Notes
At the time of the article's writing, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had caused massive disruptions to the sports world, and the US Open tournament was taking place under strict protocols to ensure the safety of players and attendees. You can read more about the impact of the pandemic on sports here: .
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