Williams, Federer reach quarterfinals at Wimbledon

His play already has fans and commentators dreaming of another final between Nadal and Roger Federer – on the 10th anniversary of their five-set classic that the Spaniard won.

Hungry as ever, Serena Williams expressed huge relief after surviving her first scare of the tournament to remain firmly on track for an eighth Wimbledon women’s singles crown – and first as a mother.

This threat was evident from the outset, with Kerber forced to defend a break point in the opening game. (After this match, it’s 39-35.) Williams went up 1-love in the second set, and though Giorgi tied it, Williams won the next three games.

Kerber is seeded 11th and, after a week of shock defeats for her title rivals, that makes her the highest ranked woman left in the draw.

The Kerber-Kasatkina clash was highly anticipated indeed: The youngster was steadily accumulating big scalps, among them Major champions Caroline Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens, Venus Williams, and Kerber herself.

Having been upset at missing out on a seeding at the start of the tournament, the Slovakian was angered when a crucial ruling went against her during the first set of a 6-4, 6-1 fourth-round victory over Hsieh Su-Wei on Monday.

Double fault, forehand winner, backhand error, forehand winner, forehand error, backhand winner, backhand winner, ace. All of the top 10 made early exits from SW19, leaving Kerber as the highest-seed at No 11 going into the quarter finals.

Then she broke back with a forehand victor, only to throw in a wayward game, including two double faults, to hand the key break to Kerber, who duly held for 6-3. “I never thought I was in danger of losing this match”, she told the tournament’s official website. In fact, when I was out there I think that was one thing that was surprising, how well I felt.

Kerber had to fend off another break point in her next service game, but eventually got the job done to book her fourth career grand slam final. Serena dismissed Goerges in straight sets at the French Open, while she has the experience and power to overcome either Kerber or Ostapenko. She’s also the lowest-ranked woman to reach the last four.

The eight-time champion is scheduled to play Wednesday’s quarterfinal against Kevin Anderson on No. 1 Court – his first match away from Wimbledon’s showcase venue since 2015. “I had to have multiple surgeries and nearly didn’t make it to be honest”, Williams added.

“It is great to be in the semis”. I’m really happy for you.

“I don’t have many words today to describe the moment I’m going through right now”. Up 5-4, Williams got to serve for the match, and she won the game easily.

On 20-match winning streak at Wimbledon, Serena is the third oldest female Grand Slam finalist in the Open era at 36 years and 291 days.

The match began with a marathon game on Cibulkova’s serve.

Watched from the stands by her friend and mega-star rapper Drake, Serena struggled to hit the right notes in the first set.