Tennis star Serena Williams has convincingly reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The 39-year-old American settled in two sets with the Romanian Simona Halep, the number 2 on the placement list, 10 years younger. The seven-time champion triumphed with two 6-3.
Williams plays in the semi-final against Japanese Naomi Osaka, who simply eliminated Hsieh Su-Wei from Taiwan: 6-2 6-2.
Williams hopes to finally match the Australian Margaret Court, good for 24 grand slam titles, in Melbourne. Four years ago, the American veteran in Australia won a grand slam for the last time. Since then she has lost no fewer than four finals.