Venus Williams is playing the best tennis of her life as she reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time in 14 years.
She made the mark after a straight-set win over Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Williams, the 17th seed, saw off 27th seed Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the first of the quarter-finals.
The 36-year-old American, winner of seven Grand Slam titles, has never won the title. Her best effort was a runner-up finish to sister Serena in 2003.
In the semi final, She will face Spain’s Garbine Muguruza or fellow American Coco Vandewehge.
“Whoever wins I’m just happy I have an opportunity to play again, That’s all I’m focused on”, said Williams whose game had suffered as a result of illness.
She added: “I’m so excited, today was such a hard-fought match,” said Williams. “She never let up.
“It’s wonderful to be here at the start of the year, I want to go further. I’m not happy with this.”
In the other half of the draw on Wednesday, Serena Williams will play Britain’s Johanna Konta and Czech Karolina Plisokva will face Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni.
