Serena Williams powers towards grand slam record after racing into Australian Open quarter-finals
American remains on course to beat Steffi Graf’s Open-era mark as the 35-year-old also closes in on a return to the world number one ranking
Serena Williams kept up her pursuit of a record grand slam title and a return to world number one on Monday as she reached the Australian Open quarter-finals without dropping a set.
A day after defending champion and top seed Angelique Kerber fell by the wayside, Williams overcame Barbora Strycova 7-5, 6-4 to set up a last-eight clash with Great Britain’s Johanna Konta.
The American great would gain much from winning in Melbourne as she would overtake Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 grand slam titles and end Kerber’s short reign as world number one.
In hot conditions, she fought off the tenacious Strycova in two tight sets, following her sister Venus into the quarter-finals and staying on track for a possible all-Williams final.
"I have nothing to lose... everything is a bonus." Congratulations @serenawilliams through to the QF #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/gZzqp2A7CO— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2017
“I have absolutely nothing to lose in this tournament,” said Williams, 35. “Everything here is a bonus for me. Obviously I’m here to win. Hopefully I can play better, I can only go better.”
Konta, the ninth seed, also reached the last eight with a perfect record in sets after a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova.