Serena Williams continued her impressive Australian Open preparations with a straight-sets victory against Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday, to reach the quarter-finals of the Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne.
Williams, 39, overpowered the Bulgarian with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in 74 minutes.
Aiming for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Serena broke Pironkova first up and kept her foot on the gas with 25 winners and six aces.
.@serenawilliams advances in Melbourne!
Defeats Pironkova 6-1, 6-4 to move into the last 8. #YarraValleyWTA pic.twitter.com/2KbmFyXN2J
— wta (@WTA) February 3, 2021
The American will play world Number 6 Karolina Pliskova or compatriot Danielle Collins in the quarter-finals.
“So far, so good. It’s special to play here with what’s going on in the world,” said Williams, who will next face Czech Karolina Pliskova or Danielle Collins for a semi-final spot, during her on-court interview.
“It’s definitely nice to get another win. She’s clearly a great player, so it wasn’t easy, but it was good to come through.”
Ashleigh Barty Vs Marie Bouzkova
Women’s tennis world Number 1 Ashleigh Barty showed no signs of fatigue, having played a late match on Tuesday. Barty started in top gear against Marie Bouzkova at the Margaret Court Arena, before her Czech opponent staged a fightback.
Barty was pushed to the brink, but avoided an early exit at Melbourne Park. Barty had a scare in her match against Marie Bouzkova, but recovered from a second-set stutter to win 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
“Coming off a night match, I had to get used to going to bed quite late again,” Barty said. “I’m an early riser, so I didn’t get a hell of a lot of sleep last night, but it’s fantastic to be back out here.”
“It was a really solid match. I felt like I pressed a little bit in the middle and lost my execution, but happy to get it on my terms in the end.”
Barty, hoping to break her country’s 43-year singles title drought at the Australian Open, will face Shelby Rogers next.
The World No.1 advances to the #YarraValleyWTA quarterfinals!@ashbarty defeats Bouzkova 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. pic.twitter.com/NHrr9kq26L
— wta (@WTA) February 3, 2021
Chidi Nwoke.
