Serena Williams toughed out a three-set win over Maria Sakkari to move within three wins to tie Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slams. Two weeks ago Williams faced Sakkari in the Western Southern Open and lost in three sets.
Serena Williams likes to get revenge on her opponents; when she loses the first time, she wants to come back and defeat the opponent. Willians won the first set 6-3, but Sakkari bouched back and won the second set 7-6. That led to the third and final set, which Williams won 6-3 to move to the next round.
The Comeback
Sakkari led the third set 2-0 and looked like she was on her way to beat Williams for a second time. Serena battled back to make it 2-2 and then went up 5-3 and closed the set and match out. After forcing Sakkari into an error to win the match, Williams showed a lot of emotion, letting out a scream in excitement about winning the match.
Let it all out @serenawilliams!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2020
She defeats Sakkari in a 3-set battle and is through to the QF 👊#USOpen. pic.twitter.com/TXFTxMXL34
“Of course I thought about it, but ever so little,’’ Williams said when asked about the loss two weeks ago. “She was doing so well and being so aggressive I knew I had to do the same thing. I’ve gone a lot of three sets, so I’m not only match fit I’m fit fit.”
Williams Via New York Post
Serena won 72 percent of her first serves and hit 12 aces. Williams will face Tsvetana Pironkova in the last eight. Williams holds a 4-0 record against Pironkova, who is playing in her first tournament in three years.
It will be interesting to see if Williams, at age 39, can win the U.S.Open, she is in the best shape she is in and a long time. The 23-time Grand Slam champion looks fit and ready to battle physically and mentally. All that left to do is tie the record.
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