Serena Williams is through to her ninth semi-finals appearance at the Australian Open after defeating Romanian world No.2 Simona Halep.
Williams will now play in her 40th career Grand Slam semi-final following a straight-sets win over Halep, 6-3 6-3.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion progressed to a mouthwatering match-up with her heir apparent, Naomi Osaka, despite an uncharacteristically high tally of unforced errors that totalled at 33. It's a stat line that was symbolic of the game style Williams brought to the court, going with all out aggression to extinguish the claims of arguably the best defensive player in the game.
Williams looked a winner throughout, even after going down a break early in the second set to trail 0-2. The American star had no problem recovering as she put up a performance that will put Osaka and world No.1 Ash Barty on notice.
"That is some vicious hitting from Serena," Nine commentator Jim Courier said early in the match as she started to get on top.
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Immediately following the match Williams said she felt tonight's performance was her best so far this tournament.
"I definitely think this is the best match I've played to this tournament for sure," she told Courier in an on-court interview.
"Obviously I had to [play my best] going up against No.2 in the world.
"I knew that I had to do better and that's what I did. I'm excited."
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