New York (AFP)
Serena Williams, 8th in the world, defeated the resistance of Maria Sakkari (22nd) on Monday, who had beaten her in Cincinnati, 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 and reached the quarter-finals of the 'US Open.
The American will face Tsvetana Pironkova, slayer of the French Alizé Cornet, to continue her quest for a 24th major title that would allow her to equal Margaret Court's record.
After easily winning the first set, Williams gave up the second in the tie-break and the scenario of the duel she had lost to Sakkari in Cincinnati seemed to be redrawn.
“Oh yeah, I thought about it,” Williams admitted.
"But I felt I was able to play longer. Last time I was a little tired and had cramps. But on her side, Maria played better today. So it was a game. really very intense, ”added the American.
Especially since the Greek, who had easily concluded the third set in Cincinnati after winning the decisive game in the second, began by making the break and confirming to lead 2-0 this time again in the third set.
But Serena came back to 2-2 and broke to lead 5-3 before winning.
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