Sweet Serena – Williams sends message with dominant show

Serena Williams blew away Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday 6-1, 6-4 to send a message that was ready for next week’s Australian Open.

“So far, so good. It’s special to play here with what’s going on in the world,” Williams said.

Williams was in ominous form hitting 25 winners and six aces.

The American will play either Karolina Pliskova or compatriot Danielle Collins in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin was pushed hard by American Jessica Pegula, dropping the first set, then 4-1 down in the second before she rallied to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.

“I was happy the way I was able to change things in the second set… I found my groove,” Kenin said.

Kenin will play Spain’s Garbine Muguruza next in a rematch of last year’s Australian Open final.

Elina Svitolina also had to come from behind to beat 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-7 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

3 days ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

2 weeks ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

2 weeks ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

2 weeks ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

1 month ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

1 month ago