Auckland (AFP)
Serena Williams was able to tame the whims of Eole to beat Wednesday the German Laura Siegemund (6-4, 6-3) and enter the last four of the Auckland tournament, place which is deprived the French Alizé Cornet, forced to abandonment due to a thigh injury.
Williams, looking for a 24th Grand Slam at the Australian Open but without titles on the circuit for three years, outshined 4-4 in the initial heat to conclude in two sets (6 -4, 6-3) and less than 90 minutes.
The American, whose Auckland is the first outing since the final lost to the US Open in September, will continue her quest against her young compatriot Amanda Anisimova, 25th player in the world.
Last French woman in the running, Alizé Cornet gave up because of a thigh pain when she was led 6-0, 3-2 by the American Jessica Pegula.
The latter, 82nd in the WTA ranking, will face in the semi-finals the former Danish world N.1 Caroline Wozniacki, easy winner of the German Julia Görges 6-1, 6-4.
Results of the quarter-finals of the Auckland WTA tournament, played on Friday:
Jessica Pegula (USA) defeats Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-0, 3-2 (retires)
Serena Williams (USA) defeats Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-4, 6-3
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN / N.5) beats Julia Görges (GER / N.4) 6-1, 6-4
Amanda Anisimova (USA / N.3) defeated Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
© 2020 AFP