London (AFP)
More than two. Serena Williams, qualified for the semifinals of Wimbledon on Tuesday, is now two victories of eternity, two victories to pocket his 8th title in London and his 24th major trophy, an absolute record.
She will face in the semifinal a novice at this level, the Czech Barbora Strycova (54th), winner of the British Johanna Konta (19th). The other semifinal will face Romania's Simona Halep (7th) against Ukrainian Elena Svitolina (8th), also in the semifinal of a Grand Slam for the first time.
- Serena feels "good" -
Eight days after her first steps on the grass, here is Serena Williams for the 12th time in her semifinal career at Wimbledon after struggling against fellow Alison Riske (55th) in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6 -3.
Two weeks ago, it was hard to know what face she was going to present in London Queen Williams, seven times titled on the turf of the All England Club. A month before, she had left Roland-Garros without glory in the 3rd round, umpteenth avatar of a season jerky, incomplete, disjointed, because of a problematic knee problem.
The 38-year-old American had only played 12 games before going to Wimbledon. A truncated preparation, she had decided to go in the shade, without a tournament after Paris.
Her quarter-final against Riske was not easy, and Serena was not calm all the time. But she's gone. And most importantly, her body leaves her visibly quiet. "This is the first time since Australia (in January, eliminated in quarters, ed) that I feel good," she said.
Not necessarily good news for Barbora Strycova (54th), her future opponent, who has never known the smell of such a height in a Major. But the imperfections of Serena Williams especially in the move will not be erased by then, and the lack of matches and preparation may catch up with the American one day.
"Every game here counts for 5 or 10 because I did not play a lot, it's really a very long year, very complicated, I'm not used to hurting myself," said the American.
At almost 38 years, these physical events have slowed her quest for the record of 24 grand slams held by the Australian Margaret Court. Wimbledon this year represents one of his last opportunities, an element that will undoubtedly begin to weigh.
"I felt more and more pressure as I got older and now I have had a great career, so I feel less," she said. His semifinal will tell if his insurance is real.
- Halep, finally the green hand -
Simona Halep, who won Roland-Garros last year, but who has long assured not to feel comfortable on the green carpet, has finally converted to turf. It took him time, and a second semifinal at Wimbledon (in 2014) to get there.
In front of the surprising Chinese Shuai Zhang (50th), who had never played in the Grand Slam quarter-finals and who had spent most of the last seven years without a single game won in Major (between 2008 and 2015), Simona Halep has put a set to find the rhythm. But once inside, she left him no chance 7-6 (4), 6-1.
"Since my first semifinal here five years ago, everything has changed, now I have a lot of experience, I have more confidence, I love turf, this is the first time I say that, "she said. A confession not so complicated once in the last square of the tournament in London.
The former world No.1, who held this rank just 6 months ago, will face Elena Svitolina, whose romance with Gael Monfils feeds the social networks and behind the scenes of the circuit. The Ukrainian quarter-finalist at the Australian Open, who found colors on the London turf after four complicated months, poses in any case weapons to annoy the Romanian.
? 2019 AFP