Serena fightback earns semi-final spot

Serena Williams, pictured, will face Sara Errani in the semis
4 June 2013

Serena Williams is through to the French Open semi-finals for the first time in a decade after fighting back to beat Svetlana Kuznetsova at Roland Garros.

The world number one has plenty of baggage in Paris with four last-eight defeats over the last 10 years, including in 2009 against Kuznetsova, who went on to win the title.

Williams had dropped only 10 games on her way to the quarter-finals and was on a run of 28 wins in a row, but she was forced to dig extremely deep to come through 6-1 3-6 6-3.

The first set gave no hint of the trouble that was in store for Williams as, after surviving a tight first game, she raced through it in only 28 minutes. Kuznetsova took a medical time-out, receiving lengthy treatment off court, and when she returned she set about changing the course of the match.

The Russian, who has always given Williams a tough time, changed her game plan to focus more on variety and cut out the errors, and it worked.

Having not dropped serve all tournament, Williams promptly gave it away three times in succession, appearing to tighten up as pressure was applied for the first time this fortnight.

Williams was screaming at herself but she fought back from 5-1 to 5-3, only for Kuznetsova to save five break points and level the match.

The momentum was with Kuznetsova and Williams' title ambitions were in serious jeopardy when she lost the first two games of the third set as well. The top seed knew it was now or never, and she needed all her fighting skills to save three break points in the next game.

Kuznetsova finished the final point on the clay and, although she was still ahead, everyone on Court Suzanne Lenglen knew it was a big moment.

Williams promptly levelled at 2-2 and then extended her run of successive games to five. Kuznetsova forced her to serve it out but by now the American was confident and she wrapped up victory with a forehand drive volley, setting up a semi-final showdown with Sara Errani, who overcame fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 7-6 (8/6).

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