Serena longs for 24th Grand Slam triumph

US Tennis star Serena Williams [Courtesy]

A fired-up Serena Williams slugged past world number one Simona Halep yesterday as she inches ever closer to a 24th Grand Slam title, while Novak Djokovic survived a battle to stay on course for a record seventh Australian Open crown.

In a towering performance, the American great scored her biggest win since having a baby to grind down the Romanian top seed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 and move into a quarter-final against seventh seed Karolina Pliskova.

Czech Pliskova is another form player, winning the warm-up Brisbane International and easing past two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-1 to set up the Williams clash.

“I’m such a fighter, I never give up,” declared Williams after the epic encounter.

“It was an intense match and there were some incredible points but I love playing tennis and being out here and I love this court, it’s really cool to be back.”

While Williams stayed calm, highly-rated German fourth seed Alexander Zverev lost the plot against Canadian Milos Raonic, crashing 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7/5) and demolishing a racquet in a massive meltdown.

And Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta also let the pressure get to him, ranting at the umpire after a disputed call when leading the final tiebreak 8-5 against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

He failed to win another point and was booed as he stormed off Margaret Court Arena, angrily throwing his kit bag after losing a 5hour 5minutes marathon 6-7 (8/10), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (10/8).

Nishikori will now play six-time champion Djokovic, who dropped a set for the second match in a row before seeing off 15th-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3.

“It was definitely a physical battle. It was difficult to get through him,” the Serbian world number one said. “In these kinds of matches you just have to hang in there.”

Dominant Williams overshadowed them all and is an overwhelming favourite to win an eighth Australian title, with defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Kerber already out.

She has been in ominous form at Melbourne Park as she seeks one more major title to put her alongside Margaret Court’s record 24, and it looked like French Open champion Halep would be another easy scalp after a first set rout.

Djokovic and Medvedev both needed attention from the trainer during a draining 3hour 15minutes match liberally sprinkled with punishing rallies of 30 shots or more, and one of 42 strokes.

“That was a physical battle,” said a relieved Djokovic, who crucially saved three break points from 2-1, 0-40 in the pivotal third set to break the tenacious 22-year-old’s resolve.

“Daniil played some great tennis. He has a great backhand and doesn’t make any unforced errors on that side. It was hard to find another way to get through him. In these kinds of matches you just have to hang in there.”

Djokovic stayed on course for a record seventh Australian Open title but will next have to conquer marathon man Nishikori.

The Japanese number one endured a third five-setter in four matches to get past Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

“Since I guess my next opponent is watching, I’m feeling fantastic. I have never felt fresher in my life,” Djokovic joked on court.

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