Saturday 6 September 2014 09:34, UK
Serena Williams wasted little time in booking her place in the final of the US Open, crushing Ekaterina Makarova 6-1 6-3 in exactly an hour.
The top seed and two-time defending champion moved a step closer to winning her home grand slam for a sixth time, with only Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark now standing in her way at Flushing Meadows.
Whatever happens, I'll be happy with the outcome. She (Wozniacki) is such a great person. We've been looking forward to this since the draw came out.
Makarova, in contrast to her opponent, was playing in her first major semi-final having upset two-time US Open runner-up Victoria Azarenka in the previous round.
However another upset proved well beyond the 17th-seeded Russian; she was simply unable to deal with the power of Williams on Arthur Ashe, at one stage going 40 minutes without winning a game.
"It feels so good. You never know. I am so happy you have no idea," Williams said in her on-court interview. "I didn't think I'd be here today."
The 32-year-old - who had failed to get beyond the last eight of the other three major tournaments this season - managed 24 winners compared to six by her opponent and had an amazing run where she took 22 out of 24 points.
From 1-1 in the first set she reeled off nine games in a row to move to the brink, though to Makarova's credit she did not give up without a fight.
Williams had one wobble serving for the match but quickly made up for it, setting up a showdown with her good friend Wozniacki on Sunday as she bids to join Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on 18 career slams.
"She obviously wants to win and go for her first grand slam title and I want to win and make a little history," the American said of facing the 10th-seeded Wozniacki.
"Whatever happens, I'll be happy with the outcome. She's such a great person. We've been looking forward to this since the draw came out."
Watch the men's semi-finals from the US Open LIVE on Sky Sports 3 HD from 5pm
