Serena Williams on Friday beat Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 6-0 to qualify for the final of the US Open, to sit one win away from a record-equalling 24th grand slam title.
Just seven months and seven tournaments removed from returning to competition following the birth of her first child, Williams was back at her best and needed just 66 minutes to beat the 19th-seeded Latvian and reach her 31st grand slam final.
A win against Naomi Osaka on Saturday would also give the 36-year-old American a seventh US Open title, breaking a tie with Chris Evert for the most in the Open era.
“It is really incredible, a year ago I was literally fighting for my life at the hospital after having the baby,” said Williams, who missed last year’s US Open due to the birth of her child.
“Every day I step out on this court I am so grateful to have an opportunity to play this sport.
“So no matter what happens in any match, semis, finals, I already feel like I have already won.”
It will be the second consecutive grand slam final for Williams, who came agonisingly close to matching Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors at Wimbledon but was beaten by Angelique Kerber.
