Serena Williams ended Tsvetana Pironkova‘s magical US Open run, beating the fellow toddler mom 4-6 6-3 6-2 to advance to the semifinals.
Playing her first tournament in more than three years, the 32-year-old Pironkova was the first player to establish lead in this quarterfinal, going 4-2 up and having two set points at 5-3 on Williams’ serve. After fighting for more than six minutes, the world No.8 Williams managed to hold that serve, but Pironkova won the first set in her service game that followed.
The second set was even more competitive, even though the scoreline may not suggest it.