Serena Williams powers previous Simona Halep to succeed in Australian Open semi-final

A second serve, a 130 kmph kicker to Serena Williams’ forehand was returned cross court docket at blistering tempo. Simona Halep, the World No 2, had barely completed her service movement earlier than the ball raced previous her. The level was the primary on Halep’s serve within the match. And in some ways, it set the tone for what was about to observe.
This quarterfinal Australian Open tie was the primary time the 2 former World No 1s met since Halep beat Williams for the 2019 Wimbledon title. The American has since continued her seek for the elusive twenty fourth Grand Slam title that can take her degree with Margaret Court for the all-time file.
On Tuesday, after an hour and 21 minutes, Williams took one other step in the direction of a significant ultimate after outhitting and out-defending Halep in a 6-3, 6-3 win.

3️⃣9️⃣ years of age.4️⃣0️⃣ Grand Slam semifinals.@serenawilliams | #AO2021 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/c4tdzAF3XQ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021
Williams’ heavy-hitting
Jim Courier requested Williams after the match about that thunderous forehand winner on Halep’s first serve of the match.
“I just saw it, looked like a donut, I went for it,” got here her reply.
It’s a on condition that every time the attack-minded 39-year-old takes to court docket, her groundstrokes will journey quick and heavy. But she turned issues up a notch within the Rod Laver Arena, pulling the set off early on her pictures and giving Halep, a defensive baseliner, not a lot time to settle.
Though she conceded 33 unforced errors, Williams’ 24 winners (in comparison with Halep’s 9) paid larger dividends, and on the essential factors.
“This was the best match I’ve played in this tournament, for sure,” Williams mentioned.
“Obviously, I had to, going up against the No 2 in the world. I knew that I had to do better, and that’s what I did.”

“It’s so good to see someone [@naomiosaka] that is so inspiring on both things.” 💙
Even 7️⃣x #AusOpen champion @serenawilliams attracts inspiration from her #AO2021 semifinal opponent 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yzASWfp1Gn
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 16, 2021
Attacking Halep’s second serve
The diminutive Romanian, who stands at 5-foot-6, can run all day and play pictures with nice depth. But her serve will not be the quickest and most rewarding. Her second serve specifically was simple pickings for Williams – ranging from the primary level on the two-time Grand Slam champion’s serve.
Overall, Halep gained simply 9 of the 23 factors on her second serve – a charge of 39 %.
Williams’ outstanding defence
The saying, ‘attack is the best form of defence’ has run true for an amazing a part of her illustrious profession. On Tuesday although, it appeared like she had added a dogged defensive high quality to her arsenal.
Halep began to push her opponent on both facet of the court docket in rallies, and Williams would chase it down and drive the Romanian to play one other shot, solely to retrieve that as effectively. Halep finally completed the match with simply 9 winners, a credit score to Williams’ tenacity.
But her defensive expertise have been greatest displayed when Halep was serving at deuce, 3-3 within the second set. The American scrambled from left to proper in a rally that lasted 20 pictures (the longest within the match) till the 29-year-old performed an unforced error into the online. It gave Williams her sixth break level alternative in that recreation, which she would convert to take the lead.
Halep’s spectacular health and enjoying model entails her operating the opponent down and profitable the lengthy rallies. But within the rallies that lasted 9 pictures or extra, Williams gained 16 to Halep’s seven.