Story highlights
Williams beats Halep 6-1 4-6 6-4
First set Williams has dropped in this year's Australian Open
The American will now face Pliskova in quarterfinals
Serena Williams reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after surviving a severe test against world No. 1 Simona Halep.
The American dropped her first set of the tournament and was pushed all the way by the Romanian in a thrilling match which ended 6-1 4-6 6-4.
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It had all started so easily for the American. Williams wrapped up the opening set in just 20 minutes, dropping just one game to the struggling top seed, but the Romanian fought back to setup an enthralling decider.
READ: Simona Halep – Bittersweet off-season for popular world No. 1
‘I just never give up’
Both women came out swinging to produce one of the most entertaining sets of this year’s tournament, with each having chances to break serve. But, like is so often the case, it was Williams who dug deepest to make the breakthrough.
“I’m such a fighter, I just never give up,” the 37-year-old said to the adoring crowd during an on-court interview. “It’s definitely something that’s innate. I just work so hard for every point.”
The 23-time grand slam champion has now won nine of her 10 matches against Halep and outlined exactly why she’s favorite to add an eighth Australian Open title to her career tally.
READ: Alexander Zverev pummels racket in Australian Open meltdown
‘A miracle that I’m here’
The American has not won a grand slam since she returned from pregnancy last year but is just happy to be back playing her sport.
“It’s a miracle that I’m here,” she said, before joking about how her daughter’s love for Disney films keeps her up at night.
“I get to do something I enjoy. This is my job, my job is to come out and play in front of you and that keeps me motivated to keep trying and keep fighting for literally every point.”
Williams will now face Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals after the Czech breezed past Garbine Muguruza in straight sets.
Djokovic through
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic battled past Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-7 (6-7) 6-2 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
The Serbian barely broke sweat in the opening set, dominating his 22-year-old opponent with familiar swagger.
However, Medvedev brushed off the early disappointment and began to grow into the game – much to the frustration of Djokovic.
With the 14-time grand slam champion becoming increasingly angry with himself, Medvedev won the second set tie-break.
The dropped set seemed to shock Djokovic into action and with the clock ticking past midnight, the 31-year-old regained his composure – winning the following two sets with relative ease.
“Since my next opponent is probably watching – I feel great, never felt better in my life!” he joked during an on-court interview.
READ: Roger Federer – What’s next for Swiss after Australian Open loss?
Marathon man Nishikori
Djokovic, aiming for a seventh Australian Open title, will now face Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals after Japan’s top seed completed a stunning comeback to beat Pablo Carreno Busta 6-7 (8-10) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 7-6 (10-8) in a five-set epic.
The match lasted over five hours, meaning Nishikori has now been on-court for an incredible 13 hours and 47 minutes since the start of the tournament.
“I was disappointed to lose the first and second set,” he said during an on-court interview, as he joked about not playing enough tennis. “But I tried to stay positive and play one game at a time.”
