World number one Serena Williams was at her lethal best as she crushed Romanian Simona Halep 6-0 6-4 to romp into the semi-finals of the Western and Southern Open on Friday.
Williams’ devastating form suggests that there is little standing in the way of the muscular American from adding the prestigious Cincinnati hardcourt event to her long resume.
In a career that has generated 54 singles titles, including 16 grand slams, Williams has won just about everything there is to win in her sport but Cincinnati, one of the WTA Tour’s most prestigious tournaments, is not among them.
With Friday’s rout, Williams sets up a semi-final date with defending champion Li Na of China, who received a walkover into the last four when Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska withdrew from the tournament to attend her grandfather’s funeral.
Williams was in ruthless form to open the match, steamrolling past her opponent to take the first set in just 16 minutes.
Halep offered token resistance in the second but there was never any doubt Williams would prevail as she went on to wrap up her 59th match win of the season in just over an hour.
With eight titles and 10 finals appearances from 11 events this season while losing only three matches, it would be hard to defect any flaw in Williams’ game.