By Chris Oddo | Friday August 14, 2015
Serena Williams passed a tough test from Roberta Vinci, easing into the Rogers Cup semis with a straight-sets win.
Photo Source: Getty
Serena Williams kept up her winning ways at the Rogers Cup on Friday night in Toronto despite an inspired effort from feisty Italian Roberta Vinci.
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The 6-4, 6-3 victory improves Williams’ record to 43-1 on the season and marks her fourth victory in four tries against Vinci, a former World No. 11.
“She’s been No. 1 in doubles for a really long time,” said Williams. “Obviously she has a great game.”
The pair of 33-year-olds marched lockstep to the business end of the opening set, with each earning and then failing to convert break points, until Williams finally converted on her fourth set point of the 10th game of the set to claim the opener.
“I’m definitely happy to get through that,” said Williams. “That was a lot trickier and tougher than a lot of people would think but I knew she would come out with a great strategy and a great game.”
Vinci kept pushing in the second set and actually cracked through first when she pounded three forehands to take control of a rally and drew the Williams error to break for a 2-1 lead.
But Williams answered back immediately when a Vinci backhand slice slipped wide for 2-all.
Vinci kept up the fight and earned another break point in the next game but Williams hammered an ace to erase it to consolidate for 3-2.
The World No. 1 took the advantage with a break for 5-3, and though Vinci threatened to break back in the next game, Williams hit back-to-back aces to take her to match point and closed proceedings by forcing a Vinci backhand error.
The American will move on to face Belinda Bencic in the semifinals on Saturday. Bencic eased past Ana Ivanovic, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the semifinals in her Rogers Cup debut.