Serena Williams outlasted big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday in a three-set thriller to make Australian Open quarterfinals, keeping her chase for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on track.
The American withstood a barrage from the seventh seed to prevail 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and nine minutes and set up a mouth-watering clash with either world number two Simona Halep or French Open champion Iga Swiatek.
“I am happy to get through, I knew it was going to be tough,” said Williams, who hit 30 winners.
“I lost the second set but the games were close. I just tried to stay in there.”
Williams, 39, had never before played the Belarusian, who has collected more tr…
Keep on reading: Serena survives Sabalenka onslaught in Australian Open thriller