Venus Williams says she is living the dream after making yet another Grand Slam semi-final yesterday, setting up an all-American clash against a rampant Coco Vandeweghe
Venus Williams celebrates after defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarters of the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AP
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Melbourne: Venus Williams says she is living the dream after making yet another Grand Slam semi-final yesterday, setting up an all-American clash against a rampant Coco Vandeweghe. The 36-year-old powered past Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) and into her third Australian Open semi, while Vandeweghe stunned French Open champion Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-0 in a blitz of big hitting.
“What can I say, I am just trying to live the dream,” Williams said of her longevity, after becoming the oldest woman since a 37-year-old Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon 1994 to make a Slam semi. “I have no exact answer, except I do know how to play tennis, so that’s helpful. If you can get the ball in, it’s even more helpful,” she added.
It is a remarkable feat for Williams, who made her professional debut in 1994 and is enjoying a late-career renaissance following a long battle with a rare autoimmune disorder. Despite surprise-package Vandeweghe showing imperious form, Williams is brimming with confidence and believes she can go on to win her first Grand Slam since Wimbledon in 2008.
Vandeweghe
“Why shouldn’t I? I try to believe. Should I look across the net and believe the person across the net deserves it more?” she said. “This mentality is not how champions are made. I’d like to be a champion, in particular this year. The mentality I walk on court with is: I deserve this,” she asserted. The seven-time Grand Slam winner is yet to drop a set in Melbourne.
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