|
 Top-seeded world number one Williams overpowered Russian
left-hander Ekaterina Makarova 6-1 6-3, unleashing her daunting
firepower against the 17th-seeded Russian.
Wozniacki advanced when China's Peng Shuai broke down in scary
distress due to heat illness and retired in the second set, while
trailing 7-6(1) 4-3.
The results delivered on a pre-tournament wish made by the buddies,
who each entered the event longing for a victory to ease personal
frustrations.
"She's a good friend of mine," said former world number one
Wozniacki, whose gaping hole in her resume remains the lack of a
grand slam title.
"We were saying when the tournament started, 'We're in separate
sides of the drawing, so hopefully we can meet in the finals. It
would be great if that were to happen.'"
Williams said she had the same thought when the draw was made.
"She obviously wants to win and go for her first grand slam, and I
want to win and try to make a little history," said Williams, who
wants to end a disappointing grand slam season on a happy note by
claiming her 18th slam singles to tie Chris Evert and Martina
Navratilova for fourth on the all-time list.
SCARY MOMENTS
The opening semi-final produced some scary moments as China's Peng
fell victim to the severe conditions during an energy-draining,
groundstroke battle with Wozniacki.
The match was still very much in doubt with Wozniacki serving at 4-3
and facing break point when the unseeded Peng suddenly grabbed her
thighs and stumbled to the back wall of the center court with what
appeared to be severe cramping.
In obvious distress, the 28-year-old doubles specialist was
eventually helped off the court to be evaluated by doctors.
A valiant Peng, playing her first career grand slam singles
semi-final, refused to quit and returned in 11 minutes after a
medical examination.
Six points later, Peng curled up in agony on the baseline, and
officials called the match and Peng was lifted into a wheelchair and
taken from the court to a standing ovation after the abbreviated two
hour four minute battle.
"The doctor, she said to me, 'You are not able really go out to
fight, compete, because look is not really well,'" Peng said about
the medical evaluation when she met reporters after two hours of
treatment.
"I said, 'No, no, no, I don't want to give up. I want to try one
more time,'" added Peng. "And then I come back.'"
[to top of second column] |
In the mixed doubles final, top seeds Sania Mirza of India and Brazilian
Bruno Soares won the title 6-1 2-6 11-9, sealing the match tiebreak on
their sixth championship point against American Abigail Spears and
Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico.
SPEEDY ADVANCE
Williams, the two-times defending champion, came on the center court
next and seemed determined to spend as little time as possible in the
heat and succeeded, trouncing Makarova in 60 minutes.
The American blasted 24 winners, including five aces. Makarova hit six.
"I'm just really excited to be in the final. In the beginning of the
week I definitely wasn't sure I would make it this long. So I'm just
elated," said Williams, who failed to reach the quarters in any of the
year's previous three slams.
Makarova, playing in her first slam singles semi-final, praised the
victor. "Serena, she's a great, unbelievable player. Today she was so
aggressive."
Friendship will be set aside in Sunday's final between the players who
earlier this year spent a beach holiday together in Miami with some
serious chips on the line.
"I'm in the finals, which is obviously great," said Wozniacki, who lost
the 2009 final to Kim Clijsters. "It's been five years for me since my
last one here, so I'm extremely happy to be back.
"I would love to win it and have a grand slam under my belt. It would
definitely have the media stop talking about my lack of a grand slam, so
that would be nice.
"The friendship, while we are on court, is put aside. We are both
competitors," added the Dane. After the match, one of us is going to
congratulate the other and we're going to be friends again."
Williams was in agreement.
"Regardless, I’m going to be happy with the outcome," she said.
(Editing by Patrick Johnton)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
