Serena Williams storms into US Open semifinals

Serena Williams completely turned her quarterfinal around to avenge her last US Open loss to Karolina Pliskova and seal a spot in the 2018 semifinals.

Williams trailed the Czech 4-2 in the first set before settling to win 6-4 6-3, sealing victory with an ace in her 100th match at Arthur Ashe Stadium – an all-time record.

Last time they met, Pliskova upset Williams in the 2016 semifinals on the same court and in the early stages of this match threatened to repeat the feat before Williams reeled off eight straight games to put the result almost certainly beyond doubt.

Pliskova staged a brief comeback midway through the second set but Williams served her way out of trouble, going on to win in one hour and 26 minutes.

What a way to serve out a match.
Ace. Ace. Overhead winner. Ace.@serenawilliams d Pliskova 6-4 6-3.#USOpen

— Tennismash (@tennismash) September 5, 2018

“I felt so bad because everyone was cheering and I wasn’t winning so I thought I gotta try harder, I gotta do harder,” Williams told the crowd during her on-court interview.

“I feel like right now I’m playing free, because I was having a baby this time last year so I have nothing to prove. I’m just on my way (again) on the tour and just doing the best I can.”

Next up for the 23-time Grand Slam champion in Anastastija Sevastova, who caused a shock with her straight-sets dismissal of defending champion Sloane Stephens.

NEWS: Sevastova stops Stephens, into US Open semis

The Latvian plays a game reminiscent of Roberta Vinci, the Italian who stunned Williams in the 2015 semifinals when the American was just two wins from completing a vaunted calendar-year Grand Slam.

“I want to just be able to get past the semis here – it’s been a couple of rough semis for me (in my last two Opens) but regardless this has been a great road and I’m really excited,” said Williams, who hasn’t gotten beyond the last four since winning the title in 2014.

In the opening few games of the match Serena struggled with her timing, patience and footwork, frequently pulling the trigger too early in rallies against the rock-solid Czech.

Into the fifth game, Williams already led the unforced error tally 15-4.

After Pliskova survived two break points to hold for a 4-2 lead, Williams settled. And she never looked back.

6-4,6-3 for Williams vs Pliskova. Once she had her emotions under control, it was all in her racquet. Will play vs Sevastova for a spot into the US Open final.

— Carole Bouchard (@carole_bouchard) September 5, 2018

She served better, hit bigger and moved more effectively than the eighth seed, who was reduced to the role of a spectator at times as Williams churned through game after game. Incredibly, Pliskova did not hit an ace until the sixth game of the second set, which helped her hold for 2-4.

When Pliskova reached 0-40 in the very next game, the tide appeared to be turning back in her favour.

But Serena served her way out of trouble to extend her lead to 5-2 and two games later slammed three aces – including her 13th on match point – to complete a resounding victory.