NEW YORK (US) – Serena Williams fought her way to the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday after a high-octane 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 win over Maria Sakkari of Greece.
The third seed started with a double fault but gradually went on the defensive to save all three breaking points in the first set.
She got the first break against Sakkari for a 4-2 lead and closed the set with an ace.
In the second-set tiebreaker, Serena, who is a 23-time Grand Slam winner, came up short.
By starting the decider with a break, 15th-seed Sakkari carried the momentum into the third set.
As Sakkari’s forehand began to misfire, 38-year-old Serena revealed her battling instincts and broke back to level for 2-2.
Serena delivered the tourney’s fastest serve with a 124 mph ace during the third set and marked her 100th victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium with a roar.
“I just kept fighting,” said Williams. “She was doing so well she was being so aggressive. I knew I needed to do the same thing.”