LONDON (AFP) – Serena Williams survived a major scare before sealing her 11th Wimbledon semifinal appearance, while Angelique Kerber remains the seven-time champion’s main title rival after the German joined her in the last four on Tuesday.
Williams was in danger of a stunning quarterfinal exit after world number 52 Camila Giorgi became the first player in this year’s tournament to take a set off the former world number one.
But Serena bludgeoned her way out of trouble, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to stay on course for an eighth All England Club triumph.
It was Serena’s 100th career main draw victory on grass.
The 36-year-old will play German 13th seed Julia Goerges on Thursday for a place in Saturday’s final.
Williams, a 23-time major winner, is hoping to join a select group of women who have won Grand Slams after becoming mothers.
Goerges advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 win against Dutch 20th seed Kiki Bertens.
