23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams survived a tough encounter to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. She made a strong comeback victory over a determined and relentless Camila Giorgi. Williams dropped her first set of the championship but managed to come through 3-6 6-3 6-4. Giorgi, the pocket-sized Italian ranked 52nd in the world proved herself a worthy opponent as she produced the type of power usually associated with Williams. When she cranked it up a notch, so did Williams, finding an extra gear to suit the competition.
Williams’ win granted her a ticket into the semi-finals where she will be facing German 13th seed Julia Gorges this Thursday.
Williams overcomes her toughest test yet at Wimbledon
Before the match, 26-year-old Giorgi caught the attention of many when she was asked about her impression of Williams over the years and she responded with, “I don’t follow women’s tennis.” She definitely played as though not intimidated by William’s reputation and titles over the years.
Giorgi’s serve was powerful, Williams-level powerful. She delivered three aced to Williams’ one in the first set, winning 84% of points on her first serve. Although she’s often the one dishing it up, Williams found herself stumbling to return Giorgi’s serve, and even almost getting knocked off her feet by the get a 4-2 lead. After saving four break-back points in the next game, she served the first set out.
Williams had to battle through a 0-30 service game early in the second set; it was a defining moment in the match because moments later she was breaking Giorgi, and this was enough to decide the second set. Williams came forward to attack more powerfully in the second set, without allowing Giorgi any breaking points and winning her own break in the fourth game.
She tightened the screw with a backhand winner down the line to break in the third game of the final set. She also threw in more of her first serves to own the moment. She sealed the victory on her first match point when Giorgi sent a forehand into the net.
Could She Win Her 8th Wimbledon Title?
Serena Williams is a seven-time champion at the Wimbledon Championship. She won the championship in the last two years that she played, in 2015 and 2016. Last year, she missed the tournament as she was expectant. This tournament is her fourth one since giving birth last September and with it, she has proven to be a player to beat in the women’s draw.
The top ten seeds, including her sister Venus Williams, have been making early exits; Serena, on the other hand, shows that she still has the stamina, spirit, and shots to keep collecting the winning title. She could be the fourth mom to win a major after Belgium’s Kim Clijsters and Australia’s Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Margaret Court.
If Serena Williams wins this tournament, it would draw her level with Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam crowns.