Serena Williams beat Danielle Collins to set up a semi-final showdown with world number one Ashleigh Barty as warm-up tournaments for the Grand Slam resumed Friday after a coronavirus scare.
Williams and Barty ground out tough wins at the Yarra Valley Classic, but a teary-eyed Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin lost a repeat of last year’s final against Garbine Muguruza in straight sets.
Williams, 39, has been in ominous form but needed to overcome a mid-match wobble to oust fellow American Collins 6-2, 4-6, 10-6 in 96 minutes.
“I have nothing to lose against her… it’s going to be a good match,” Williams said about Saturday’s contest with Barty.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion broke three times in a dominant first set and appeared to be cruising until unexpectedly dropping her serve in the seventh game, as Collins forced a super tiebreaker.
Williams, aiming for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, regrouped and finished the match…