Medibank International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Olympic Park Tennis Centre 11-17 Jan 2009

Williams battles through again

Williams battles through again

AAP Wednesday 14 January 2009 Comments

Serena Williams showed her love of a scrap again Wednesday night, fending off three match points against unheralded Caroline Wozniacki to advance to the semi-finals of the Medibank International Sydney.

Three days after staring down four match points in a first round clash with Australian Sam Stosur, Williams hung tough once more, ousting the Dane 6-7 (7-5) 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The angular Wozniacki, who rocketed from No.64 to No.12 in the rankings last season, served for the match at 6-5 in the third set but much like Stosur stiffened as a famous result beckoned.

Williams’ win sets up a semi-final against Russian Elena Dementieva on Thursday.

Unlike the stylised shots used by both women in their WTA profiles, this wasn’t always pretty but it was compulsive viewing as the pair interspersed some slick groundshots with errors at critical times.

After her first round arm wrestle, followed by a straight-sets stroll in the park over Sara Errani, it was difficult to get a read on the form of the younger Williams sister.

But some erratic shotmaking and not always stellar court movement suggested she still had some work to do if she’s to add to her three titles at Melbourne Park.

There was however no doubt about the trademark fight of the nine-time grand slam champion.

Wozniacki started strongly and while failing to capitalise on two breaks in the first set, was too consistent for Williams in the tiebreaker.

Williams raced ahead to a 5-2 lead in second but still couldn’t close it out, having her serve broken before breaking straight back to take the match into a decider.

Wozniacki had her share of moments in the third set but couldn’t capitalise on a 2-0 advantage or the three match points she secured on serve at 6-5.


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  • Mette
    I think that Caroline has to work at beeing stronger mentally at important moments in the matches against top 10 players. When she has that strength she will be the biggest female star of Scandinavian tennis ever! She can take it all! Go Caroline.
  • Guida
    Thank you Serena. You are as good as any 18 year olds. Bring it on.
  • Nicole
    Mike, I thought that Serena was challenging, she was just trying to get the ump to overrule first since that's her job. It was Caroline's inexperience that led her to challenge a point she'd already won.
  • Diano Eko
    I almost got a heart attack. Thx God Serena won... I think she's gonna play great againts Elena, and will beat Dinara in the final. Go Serena!
  • Debbie Cheetham
    What an outstanding game by Caroline and she showed a great controlled spirit in the way she played, outstanding. Think on the night she was the better player but luck was not on her side.
  • Joe Han
    Go..Go.. Serena! I saw live in TV, She still kept survive, looking forward for the championship
  • Mike
    I was unimpressed with Serena's poor sportwomanship when in the first set against Caroline Wozniacki,serena stopped hitting the ball and called the ball out. It is my understanding that any player must continue to play the ball irrespective of what the player may think of it being out until the umpire declares the ball out. Fortunately Caroline won the first set but it wasnt fair play from Serena who declared herself both umpire and player when she is clearly a player only.

    It was disappointing experience to watch and all credit to Caroline who got on with the job and didnt provide any sign of histrionics that Serena displayed throughout the entire match.
  • hopefully this will be a good thing for serena!
  • Darren
    How is Caroline Wozniacki 'unheralded'?
    she is no 12 in the world and won 3 titles in 2008 -
  • Margaret Gosden
    Serena seemed to be struggling with an injury of some sort and was certainly not playing her trade mark best tennis. Well done to the little girl from Denmark who looks like she has a big future in tennis.
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