Serena Williams, seeded 16th, knocked World No.1 Simona Halep out of the Australian Open in the women’s singles after winning the Round of 16 match 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in Melbourne today. Serena Williams has looked in ominous form, as she seeks one more Grand Slam title to put her alongside Margaret Court’s record of 24. The 37-year-old 23-time Grand Slam winner will play seventh seed Karolina Pliskova, who defeated two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza in straight sets earlier today for a place in semifinals.
With top seed Simona Halep, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and second seed Angelique Kerber out of the tournament already, Serena looks well on course to win her eighth Australian Open crown.
5️⃣0️⃣ Grand Slam quarterfinals.@serenawilliams #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/pahugC4ct8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2019
The Men’s Singles match in Round of 16 between world number one Novak Djokovic and Russian Daniil Medvedev is now underway.
Meanwhile, World number four Alexander Zverev was defeated by Milos Raonic in the fourth round today. The German lost 6-1 6-1 7-6. The 16th seed will face Croatia’s Borna Coric or Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the quarter-final.
US Open champion Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina have set up their quarter-final clash, winning their respective fourth round matches.
Yesterday, world number three and defending champion Roger Federer was stunned by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. Second seed Angelique Kerber and five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova also made a shock exit yesterday.
.@Simona_Halep isn't backing down without a fight. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/mBMc20Po8p
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2019