Graf wishes Kerber well before Aussie Open final

Serena Williams’ break from tennis at the end of past year to “just chill” appeared to have done her a world of good as the rejuvenated American bulldozed her way into the Australian Open final on Thursday. “Sometimes I’m on the last flight back out to the US”. He’ll need to execute that all-around game perfectly against Murray if he wants to join Kerber as a first-time major finalist.

Asked after she beat Johanna Konta in the semifinals if she would seek out Graf’s advice, Kerber laughed and said, “Steffi, write me please”.

The win will move her to a tie with Steffi Graf for the most in the Open era.

Rod Laver, who is the last man to win a calendar-year Grand Slam, said he would not be surprised if Djokovic emulated his feat this year. “I’m four years in the top 10”. An epic seventh game, including the first deuce of the match, allowed her to hold serve. He’s been playing at a very high level and I knew he was going to try to play aggressive, mix up the pace and come to the net.

The Sydney-born Konta was the first British woman to advance to a Grand Slam singles semifinal since Jo Durie at the 1983 U.S. Open.

Williams says “yeah, definitely…”

Kerber ousted pre-tournament favorite and former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals, while Konta began her tournament with a stunning win over Serena’s sister, No. 8 seed Venus Williams, in the first round.

The draw opened up with numerous upsets during the early stages of the event and she took full advantage. I mean, I never thought I was going to go out and lose in the first round, but at the same time I never thought before, I’m going to make it to the final, or anything. Then I played here good matches.

Said Bartoli, a pundit for Fox Sports Asia, in a phone interview from Melbourne: “Serena needs to be able to make the shots that are way too big for any opponent in the world now – her serve and her return of serve”.

Angelique Kerber is the only player who can answer that now.

Serena Williams strolled into the Australian Final, and her second consecutive one, after beating fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4. ‘Everyone has expectations. I’m the favourite. She started playing better.

“I’m really excited to be in another final so it just kind of just blows my mind right now”.

Saturday’s match will be 28-year-old Kerber’s first grand slam final, Williams has won 21 of them. “He’s always played very well throughout his career with the lead, but even more so now when his confidence is up”. But we’ll see. I think… it will be a really good match.

“I think she started unbelievable, with such power and speed”. However, I’m predicting Williams to get this in three hard fought sets against the resilient lefty.

Despite the huge task facing her, Kerber is taking a crumb of comfort from having beaten Williams once before, at Cincinnati in 2012. I know she was talking about she wants to do better in the slams this year. “I think someone like Novak is well on his way to trying to accomplish that”. I was just standing there kind of watching.