Serena Williams abused her racket, admonished herself and even made angry faces at the bright sun. What is more, as usual, the one who suffered from her frustration was the ball.
The American overcame her annoyance and faint play for her 700th career victory, beating Sabine Lisicki 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3 to reach the last 4 of the Miami Open.
Williams managed to win despite an unsteady serve, a poor second set and numerous unforced errors – 51. She looked flatfooted and listless at times, and seemed especially confused when playing on the side looking directly into the sun.
”It’s always tough on that side,” she said. ”You just don’t see. You just have to adjust.”
Well, she did, earning her 16th consecutive victory on Key Biscayne, where she’s the two-time defending champion.
”I know today wasn’t my best day,” she said. ”I just told myself, I’m not serving the way I normally serve and hitting the way I normally would hit, so at this point all I can do is just fight and try to give 200 percent instead of 100 percent.”
The No. 1-seeded Williams’ next opponent will be No. 3 Simona Halep, who beat unseeded Sloane Stephens 6-1, 7-5 from America. In the other semifinal, No. 9 Andrea Petkovic plays No. 12 Carla Suarez Navarro.
Williams upgraded her career record to 700 wins and 120 defeats, which makes her the 8th woman in the Open Era to reach the landmark. She was congratulated with a cake on the court, similar to the honor Murray received after his 500th victory Tuesday.
”I think my destiny was to play tennis,” Williams said. ”I saw a picture where I was in a stroller on the tennis court.”
The world number one – Williams withdrew before the Indian Wells semifinal earlier this month with a right knee injury.
”I was really disappointed to not be able to play and just not even be close to 100 percent,” Williams said. ”So I look forward to it this time. I’m just happy to be in the semis and still be alive somehow.”
”It will be a very nice match,” Halep said. ”I have to try everything. She is No. 1 in the world. She’s the best player. I have nothing to lose.”
”Come on!” Serena shouted when it ended, as if already gearing up for the semifinal.
Afterwards, tournament officials rolled out the cake, with pink, green and purple frosting. What’s her favorite kind?
”Vanilla,” she said.
It wasn’t really Williams’ day, but she won anyway.
Serena Williams vs Sabine Lisicki, 01/04/2015, 17:15 GMT, Match Center
Miami Open: Serena Williams reaches 700th career win
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