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Serena Through to Wimbledon Semis, Two Matches From Slam No. 24

WIMBLEDON, England — When Serena Williams' serve wasn't getting her all the points she needed at Wimbledon, she turned to her return game.

Job done, and then some.

Williams reached the semifinals at the All England Club for the 12th time, overcoming five breaks of serve to beat Alison Riske 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 Tuesday on Centre Court.

''It's a long, arduous road,'' Williams said. ''It's not easy.''

The seven-time Wimbledon champion, who owns 23 major titles overall, was broken twice early in the first set despite six aces, trailing 3-1 and 4-3, but she broke back each time and then again to take the set.