UNSTOPPABLE SERENA WILLIAMS closed in on a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title by setting up an Australian Open final against big sister Venus, as the siblings’ dream came true.
The ruthless world number two proved one step too far for unseeded Croat Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, whose fairytale tournament was finally ended in a crushing 6-2, 6-1 defeat in just 50 minutes.
In swatting aside the 34-year-old, in their first meeting since 1998, Serena, 35, stayed on track for a seventh Australian title which would take her past Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 major wins.
She has refused to talk about the possibility of finally surpassing the German, but now has a golden chance of further cementing her place in history.
Winning the title would also mean the world number one ranking would be hers again, after Angelique Kerber deposed her late last year.
Only Venus stands in the way after the elder Williams rolled back the years to beat fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3 in the other semi-final.
It ensured another chapter in their eventful family history as they meet for their ninth Grand Slam final on Saturday, eight years after the last at Wimbledon in 2009. Serena holds a 6-2 advantage.
“I didn’t watch (Venus). Obviously I was really proud, she’s an inspiration, my big sister,” said Serena.
“She’s my world, my life, she means everything to me. I couldn’t be happier for us both to be in the final. It’s the biggest dream come true for us.”
She also paid tribute to Lucic-Baroni, a former teenage prodigy when the Williams sisters were emerging in the 1990s before her career was derailed by personal problems.
“Mirjana is an inspiration, she deserves all the credit today. To get this far, after everything she has gone through, that just inspires me.”
- One-way traffic -
Despite her serve not being up to scratch in Melbourne until now, Williams has so many other weapons in her armoury that her opponents have been unable to cope.
Lucic-Baroni was no different.
Her left thigh was again heavily strapped and the problem put her at an immediate disadvantage, restricting her movement against a player known for her pounding forehand winners.
They both held serve comfortably to shake off any early nerves but Williams was looking sharp, capitalising on an unforced error to get the first break and go 2-1 ahead.
She consolidated her lead by holding serve again, and a Lucic-Baroni double fault handed her a 4-1 lead.
It was one-way traffic as the second seed asserted her authority, unloading some powerful groundstrokes to unsettle the Croat and easily take the first set in 25 minutes.
The pair were playing each other for the first time since Wimbledon 19 years ago, a match the American won. Since then their careers have taken very different turns.
While Williams went on to win 22 Grand Slams, the Croat dropped out of top-level tennis for most of the 2003-2010 period after fleeing an abusive and controlling father and suffering money and injury problems.
Her return to the big time in Melbourne has been the feel-good story of the tournament, winning her legions of new fans with her emotional progression to her first Grand Slam semi-final since Wimbledon in 1999.
But it was only ever going to come to an end against the dominant Williams, who after seeing Venus make the final was never going to throw away the chance to meet her once again.
The second set went the way of the first, with Williams crushing Lucic-Baroni’s serve to again break in the third game.
She was broken again in game five as her magnificent run drew to a close and Williams moved into her 29th Grand Slam final.
- © AFP, 2017
– First published 09.03
So many are quick to slate Glen but he has been consistent for Ireland and has always given his all. He’s far from blessed with ability but no doubting his commitment to the cause. Stoke fans know what he brings to a midfield, the only shame is that it took so long for him and Hoolahan to play together in midfield, and now we’re stuck with that waste of space Hendrick ” who was good in the euros”
@Jason Oliver: Hendrick is a good player he just doesn’t have the right mentality to utilise his ability, hopefully he has an Adama Traore like turn where he gets the correct mindset and ups his game to a new level.
@Jason Oliver:
He always gives 100% however 100% of nothing is still nothing.
He’s carved a decent career out for himself with commitment but very limited ability.
Let’s not pretend that he’s a great footballer.
@Michael Anthony Murray: I don’t think anyone has said he’s a “great footballer”. He is definitely a very good pro though and can do a job no matter how limited that is. I’d have him over Hendrick 7 days a week
@simplysuperman69: traore just worked on his drinbling and crossing he always had the right mindset
@Jason Oliver: Hendricks not good enough to be a waste of space
Lads if any of ye try to convince me that hendrick has been better for Ireland than Hendrick then I give up. I don’t think Whelan is brilliant far from it but he has been far better than Hendrick
@Jason Oliver: I’d say Hendrick has been just as good as Hendrick to be fair.
@Jason Oliver: Hendrick is equally as good as Hendrick in my humble opinion
@Jason Oliver: one day maybe we’ll see Hendrick play Hendrick while drinking Hendricks and listening to Hendrix
@Andy O’B: You’ve overplayed it a bit there I think Andy – the lads had it well covered.
@Jason Oliver: Hendrick is not in the same leave as hendrick
Great to see him back playing again. It’s a lower level but it’ll give him confidence back. That hearts manager had no right to slate him the way he did. Whelan is too good for that Scottish league anyways. Not an amazing player but he was very very effective in our home game against Georgia in wgat turned into a narrow win. I think he’ll be effective against Slovakia too
Nice Jersey that. Denmark 84 vintage.