Serena Williams Valentine's Day triumph Archives

Watch Serena Williams’ Tribute to Venus and her thoughts on Valentine’s Day

Serena Williams got a Valentine’s Day triumph to keep her strongly in contention for an 8th Australian Open title, brushing aside a strong challenge from world No.7 Aryna Sabalenka to advance to the quarter-finals with a 6-4 2-6 6-4 win.

After breaking in the tenth game of the 1st set to clinch it, the 23-time Grand Slam champion had to rise to the level of her much younger opponent in the decider after the impetus shifted decisively onto the Belarusian’s side of the net.

In an age-daring match, she managed to do just that, stunning commentators with her skill to blunt the power of Sabalenka before seizing the initiative at crucial moments.

Williams broke early in the 3rd set and got out to a 4-1 lead before an engrossing match was given another surprise, with Sabalenka battling back to draw level at 4-4.

However, just when it seemed like Serena Williams might be headed for the exit door, she shifted gears again to hold serve for 5-4 before an impeccable return game finally cracked the rising Belarusian star.

After the match Williams used her on-court talk with Jelena Dokic to give a reminder of her strong self-belief, disclosing she had been confident throughout the swinging three-setter that the match was hers for the taking.

She then swerved to her player’s box in the stands to pay praise her 40-year-old sister Venus, who bowed out in the 2nd round in a one-sided match against Italy’s Sara Errani, doing so bravely after brutally twisting her ankle in the 1st set.

Serena Williams said her illustrious career had been made significantly easier by her ever-present sister who has been a continuous support since they arrived on the professional tour together more than 20 years ago.

Williams was then put in the corner by Dokic, who questioned if her 4th round win had been her only present on Valentine’s Day, as the television camera rolled to her husband Alexis Ohanian in the stands.

“You certainly put him in an uncomfortable position,” Serena said, confirming that he hadn’t given her a present.

Then she went on to clarify that she doesn’t actually celebrate Valentine’s Day or other holidays.

Serena Williams pays tribute to sister Venus, reveals Valentine's Day stance after win https://t.co/Q8UB2XZbqY
— NL. Sawlani (@NlSawlani) February 14, 2021

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