Serena at full throttle
American crushes Russia’s Kirilenko 6-2, 6-0 to reach quarterfinals
Melbourne, Jan. 21: The toughest sides of the men’s and women’s draws at the Australian Open are progressing true to form. A consequence of that smooth sailing is the likelihood now of some semifinals worthy of any Grand Slam title matches.
Second-seeded Roger Federer and Andy Murray stayed on course on Monday for a semifinal in their half of the draw, with No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic possibly waiting for the victor in next Sunday’s final.
Serena Williams, chasing her third consecutive Grand Slam title, is still on court for a potential meeting with No. 1-ranked and defending champion Victoria Azarenka in the semifinals.
With Djokovic and Maria Sharapova having advanced through to the quarterfinals on Sunday, the other four easily won their fourth-round matches on Monday. Federer concluded the Rod Laver Arena action with a 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over Canadian Milos Raonic, while Murray took advantage of Gilles Simon’s ill health and tiredness for a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win.
Serena and Azarenka were even more dominant, losing just four games between them against their Russian rivals. The thirdseeded Williams beat Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-0 and Azarenka defeated Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1.
Federer has won four of his 17 major titles at Melbourne Park, where he has reached the semifinals or better every year since first winning the Australian Open in 2004.
The last time Federer failed to reach the last eight at a major was at the 2004 French Open. — AP