Awesome Serena gunning for Steffi Graf’s record at Australian Open
No 1 seed tramples Agnieszka Radwanska in semis to set up final against Angelique Kerber after German beats unseeded Briton Johanna Konta
An imperious Serena Williams set up a crack at her seventh Australian Open title on Thursday by trampling Agnieszka Radwanska, with only Angelique Kerber now capable of stopping her equalling Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 grand slam triumphs.
The dominant top seed was in inspirational form as she pummelled the Pole 6-0, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, with the stunned fourth seed calling the opening set the best tennis she had ever faced.
You can’t underestimate Kerber. She’s beaten me before, too, and pretty good. I know that she brings a lot, you know, to the game
It set Williams up for a 26th grand slam final as she zeroes in on a seventh Australian Open title and a bid to match’s Graf’s record. Margaret Court holds the all-time record of 24 major wins.
Germany’s Kerber, the seventh seed, earned her right to face Williams by beating unseeded Briton Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-2 to sweep into her maiden grand slam final.
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It marked the first time a German has reached the final at Melbourne Park since Anke Huber in 1996, but Kerber faces a monumental task with the American powerhouse across the net in Saturday’s decider.