Serena Williams faces opponent 18 years younger in US Open final after dominant semi-final win over Svitolina
CAN anyone stop Serena Williams?
Poor Elina Svitolina couldn’t after the Ukrainian No5 seed was blown off court in just 70 minutes following a 6-3 6-1 thrashing.
Svitolina had looked brilliantly solid during her excellent win over British No1 Jo Konta in the quarter-finals.
But she was no match for the American legend, who is turning 38 later this month, who powered into her tenth Flushing Meadows showpiece clash and is now on the verge of making history.
On Saturday night, she will play Canadian starlet Bianca Andreescu for a place in history after Belinda Bencic was beaten 7-6 7-5.
The 19-year-old, who was down 2-5 in the second set before superbly recovering, is pretty much half Serena's age and was not even born when the American great won her first Grand Slam title, the US Open in 1999.
Andreescu is an up-and-coming star who has enjoyed a breakout season and has a chance of striking gold in her first really big final.
She won the title in Indian Wells earlier this year and won the Rogers Cup last month when Williams retired in the final but still cannot believe how far she has come.
The teenager gasped: "If someone told me a year ago I'd be in the final of the US Open this year, I'd have told them you're crazy."
RECORD CHASER
Yet only a fool would bet against Williams winning her 24th Grand Slam - an incredible total which will see her finally draw level with Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record tally.
Williams’ power and movement left Svitolina totally crestfallen as a ram-packed Arthur Ashe Stadium went nuts for the home hero who bagged her 101st US Open win - pulling equal with fellow legend Chris Evert.
One more win tomorrow will secure another record.
Williams, who is aiming for her first major since giving birth in 2017 in what will be her 33rd Grand Slam final, said: "I don’t think about the numbers.
“I just come out here and do as well as I can. Been here for 20 years – and still here.”
No matter what she says - the numbers are phenomenal.
This win means Serena has now surpassed sister Venus for the longest time between her first and most recent major finals - a whopping 19 years and 362 days.
SVIT SLIT OPEN
She added: “To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy."
The American actually started shakily and was forced to save break points on her own serve in the opening game.
But once she relaxed, the former world No1 simply went through the gears and delivered a tennis masterclass, rattling off 33 winners in an all-action display.
Svitolina has now lost successive Grand Slam semi-finals although she admitted her opponent was far too hot to handle.
The 24-year-old moaned: "I just wish I could have taken those opportunities.
"It could be maybe a 2-2 or 3-3 instead of 0-3, which allows you to push to play more freely. She has unbelievable strength.
"There's lots of power behind her shots all the time. That's what makes her an unbelievable, legendary tennis player."
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So now Williams has the chance to avenge last year’s Big Apple final meltdown against Naomi Osaka and take her place in history.
The numbers prove it and so did this performance - Serena Williams is arguably the greatest sportswoman of all time.
This weekend could settle the conversation once and for all.
