Serena Williams storms into Australian Open final

Williams, who had never lost a semi-final at Melbourne Park broke Radwanska’s service to open the match and was rarely troubled in the 21-minute first set. At 34, was time catching up to her? I have worked really hard because this is a big year for me. “So I don’t think anyone can really play on that kind of level at all – not me anyway”.

The world No. 1 was faultless in the one hour and four minute demolition, amassing a staggering 42 winners to Radwanska’s four during the straight sets win: 6-0, 6-4. Also too true. An enduring image is of Radwanska standing stock still, legs apart, as if turned to stone, as another Williams victor whistled by. The greater the margin Williams puts between her and the rest, the more she knows they will be coming at her, the more paranoid she becomes and the more thoroughly she prepares.

Radwanska got to her first game point in the first game of the second. In 2003, after her sister Yetunde Price’s murder, Williams fell into depression.

“I definitely block it out”, Williams said in reply to a question about equaling Graf’s mark. “I will try to give everything, I have nothing to lose”. In a statement BBC Sport published, Williams explained, “It’s no secret I’ve played injured most of the year”.

Andy Murray from Britain beat David Ferrer of Spain 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semifinals at a Grand Slam for the 18th time.

Kerber and Konta play later Thursday, with whoever wins facing a huge obstacle to be crowned champion. After a tough opening frame against Konta, she pulled away with her flat, overpowering groundstrokes. This one’s right up there with the best.

Kerber is fortunate to be here.

Within a minute of the match starting she had a break point as she hit clean winners and attacked the net.

“I mean, of course it’s a special moment to reach the finals for the first time”, Kerber said in her on-court interview. “Johanna had a great two weeks, and she will have a great future”. Then Serena Williams remembered that she was Serena Williams. Kerber has to be better with her first serve if she’s going to stand any chance of winning this match.

Serena Williams is heading back to the finals at the Australian Open. She hadn’t played since last year’s U.S. Open semifinal loss.

“I’m really looking forward to taking this challenge”.

Now it’s on to Kerber. In the quarterfinals here, she beat Victoria Azarenka, who had been seen as the second favorite to win the title behind Williams.

Since Day One, the Australian Open has been overshadowed by media reports alleging tennis authorities had failed to thoroughly investigate match-fixing.

“I just feel so good”. The American won the match 6-0, 6-4, but it was in the first set that she reminded us that once in a while an athlete can come close to touching perfection.

“Going against Aga, you have to be ready or be ready to go home”, Williams said.

The 27-year-old Zhang entered the Australian Open with a 0-14 record in Grand Slam singles matches.

“This has been the first Grand Slam that I won back in 2008”, Djokovic said. “I have a lot of support from Germany and around the world”.

The women’s final, with Williams to face German Angelique Kerber, will take place Saturday evening. I can’t believe I’m in the final. “It’s awesome to play against the No. 1”.

Serena will tie Steffi Graf with her 22nd career grand slam crown.