Serena Williams will fight for an 18th Grand Slam title against Caroline Wozniacki after sweeping past Ekaterina Makarova 6-1, 6-3 on Friday to reach the US Open final.
World number one Serena, winner of the past two titles at Flushing Meadows and five overall, will try to match Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on 18 career major titles when she faces her good friend Wozniacki on Sunday.
The 10th-seeded Dane was leading 7-6 (7/1), 4-3 when China's Peng Shuai dramatically retired from their semi-final with heat related illness.
Peng was taken from the court in a wheelchair as Wozniacki, leading 7-6 (7/1), 4-3, was declared the victor.
"She [Peng] was in distress, she had a heat-related illness," said tournament director David Brewer after the match, adding that Peng was recovering well in the on-site medical facility.
"It was very difficult to watch," said Wozniacki, who went to Peng's side when she fell to the court, offering her a comforting pat.
"Tennis is great but the health is more important. I wanted to make sure she's OK.”
Peng, speaking later after an ice bath and rest, said the doctor who treated her during the time out urged her not to return to the match.
"I said, ‘No, no, no, I don't want to give up. I want to try one more time’.
"I knew I'm not going to stay maybe too long, but I just wanted to try. I just wanted to challenge her one more time,” said Peng, who returned to the court after a break of 10 minutes and played five more points before she was stricken again.
Serena elated at reaching final
Despite her 17 major wins, Serena, was overjoyed to return to the final, having failed to make it out of the fourth round at any major so far this year.
"Oh my God, it feels so good," said Serena, who sank almost to her knees screaming "Yes!" when Makarova pushed a last forehand wide. "I'm so happy, you have no idea."
Serena saw Peng's travails unfold as she warmed up for her match.
"I was really saddened by it," she said. "She's such a great person. You never want to see anyone go out like that."
The American superstar needed exactly one hour to subdue 17th-seeded Makarova, who was playing in her first Grand Slam semi-final after coming up empty in four prior quarter-final appearances.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2014.
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