Sensational Serena surprised to reach Australian Open final

The roof was closed over Rod Laver Arena early Friday afternoon with rain showers in the area, but those were expected to clear in time to have an open stadium for the night match.

Victory in Saturday’s final against either seventh seed Angelique Kerber or unseeded Briton Johanna Konta, would give her a 22 grand slam title, moving her to a tie with Steffi Graf for the most in the Open era.

In keeping with the way this Australian Open has been going, Andy Murray was asked following a quarterfinal win about the state of his game. Kerber defeated surprise semifinalist Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-2.

Murray, the second-ranked player who has lost four finals at Melbourne Park, will meet Milos Raonic in the semifinals.

All told, Serena won 86 percent of her first-serve points and posted a ridiculous 38-4 advantage in total winners as she cruised into the Australian Open final against arguably one of the hottest players in the field. She hadn’t played since last year’s U.S. Open semifinal loss. “If she wins, I’ll be very happy for her. I’m sure she’ll feel the same way”.

In announcing the review, ATP chairman Chris Kermode said the reports had “caused damage to the sport”, which compelled the major stakeholders in tennis – the International Tennis Federation, ATP and WTA tours, and the four Grand Slams – to take quick action.

“I think I’m playing better. I really want to enjoy being a professional tennis player and playing on Grand Slam courts, moments like this”. She makes you work.

But after causing a major boilover by ousting Venus Williams in the opening round, she rolled all the way to semis before coming up short against Kerber. Serena Williams was just being her dominant self.

The 28-year-old Kerber had a stellar 2015, winning four tournaments, second only to Serena Williams’ five, and she said Graf’s words of wisdom had been instrumental. I think it was actually good for us to have a little bit of a break.

The world No. 47 is likely to settle inside the world’s top 30 players, making her a genuine prospect to be seeded at her home slam, Wimbledon.

Before the tournament began, Williams, a six-time Aussie Open champ, insisted her disappointing effort at last year’s US Open semifinals, where she was stunned by the unranked Vinci, would not carry over into the new season.

“I think that’s all you need to accept about that but I’m really taking a lot of positive things from it”.

“I have been spending a lot of time learning about myself this trip”, Williams said, according to The Guardian.

“I was able to practise with her for a few days just before Indian Wells past year”.

“Serena is really showing her great tennis on all the Grand Slams”.

Another ominous fact facing the Pole is that every time Williams has got past the quarter-finals in Melbourne, she has gone on to win the tournament.

Germany’s six-time Grand Slam victor Boris Becker, who won the Australian Open in 1991 and 1996, praised Kerber for her fighting spirit.

Kerber was ruthless in the second set, building a 4-1 lead as the errors continued to pile up for the Brit. A stray backhand from Konta sealed the set and Kerber’s spot in the final, 6-2.