Australian Open 2016: Serena Williams advances to finals

Serena Williams provided another reminder of her dominance in women’s tennis with a 6-0, 6-4 win in the Australian Open semifinals against Agnieszka Radwanska, who is soon to move to the No. 3 ranking.

Six-time champion Williams has never lost a semifinal or final at the Australian Open, and is an overwhelming favorite to win her seventh title at Melbourne Park and claim a 22nd major. That would pull her even with Steffi Graf for the most majors in the Open era and second-most in history behind Margaret Court’s 24.

The first set was no contest, over in 20 minutes. Williams hit 18 winners and Radwanska, in her fifth major semifinal, had one – in the fourth game.

The second set was closer, with Radwanska holding serve 3 times and breaking Serena’s powerful serve once. But the 34-year-old Williams lifted again to finish it off, winning the last 8 points and closing with 3 aces and a big forehand winner.

Despite all her success, it is a loss that is inspiring Williams in this tournament. She was 2 wins away from a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2015 when she lost to Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semifinals.

“Physically I am feeling a lot better, mentally I needed that break after the Open,” she said, but “I did not think I would do this well this fast.”

“I’m really excited to be in the final – it just kind of blows my mind right now.”

Williams remains unbeaten in 9 matches against Radwanska, whom she beat in the 2012 Wimbledon final. She will next meet the No. 7-seeded Angelique Kerber who defeated and the No. 47-ranked Johanna Konta 7-5, 6-2.

Radwanksa said there will little she could do in the first set to combat Williams, “she started unbelievable, with such a power and speed. I was just standing there kind of watching her playing.”

“I had my little chance in second set, especially when it was 4-all,” she said, “But otherwise just too good.

“You know, if she’s playing her game, it’s a different level – I don’t think anyone else can really play on that level.”

Williams finished with 8 aces – all in the second set – and has dropped only 26 games in 6 rounds in a dominating run that included a 6-4, 6-1 win over No. 5 Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals, a rematch of the 2015 final.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press