Serena Williams dominated her semifinal match against Anastasija Sevastova on Thursday, winning 6-3, 6-0. Williams could be seen fighting back tears after she reached her first Open final in four years. The win came after having a child and fighting through post-natal complications, and eventually conquering the demanding road back to tennis success.

“I got a little emotional out there because last year I was literally fighting for my life in the hospital. I think I was on my fourth surgery by now. What is today? I was on my third surgery. I had one more to go still. To come from that, in the hospital bed, not being able to move and walk and do anything. Now only a year later, I’m not training, but I’m actually in these finals, in two in a row.”

Naomi Osaka beat Madison Keys in the semifinals, and will face Williams in Saturday’s final. Osaka is a rising star from Japan who looks up to Williams, and whose goal was to play her in the finals.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/sports/tennis/us-open-semifinals-serena-williams.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

 

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