News : Wimbledon: Serena Williams could break Steffi Graf's record

• Serena Williams beats Alison Riske and moves into the semifinals of Wimbledon
• On Thursday, Williams plays against unseen Czech for the finals
• The American could break a Steffi Graf record with a Wimbledon victory

Also with her jubilation Serena Williams showed how much desire she has for the next dazzling chapter of her magnificent tennis career. With a grim expression, the 37-year-old tore her arms up and yelled out her friends. With the hard-fought 6: 4, 4: 6, 6: 3 in the US duel with Alison Riske Williams has made the next semi-final at Wimbledon.

"I was really motivated, it was a place in the semifinals of Wimbledon, which does not happen every day," Williams said in London on Tuesday. On Thursday, the once-in-a-lifetime number one tennis player will be able to perfect the next title at the most important tournament of her sport with a success over the unoccupied Czech Barbora Strycova.

Semifinals: Halep vs. Switolina, Williams vs. Strycova

In the other round of semi-finals Romanian top player Simona Halep faces Ukrainian Jelina Switolina. The 2018 French Open winner defeated Chinese Zhang Shuai 7: 6 (7: 4), 6: 1. The world number eight ranked Switolina won against the Czech Karolina Muchova 7: 5, 6: 4 and drew like Strycova for the first time in a Grand Slam semi-final.

Strycova defeated hopes of Briton Johanna Konta with a 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 1. Williams has against the 33-year-old world ranking 54. Strycova has won all three comparisons so far. Most recently, she won the duel in the knockout stages of the Australian Open 2017, where she won her most recent Grand Slam title.

"I definitely felt more pressure the older I got," said the winner of 23 Grand Slam titles. Now she has the feeling that she is so old that the pressure is getting less again. She feels as good and fit as she has not been for months.

Serena Williams can break Steffi Graf's record

With the eighth Wimbledon triumph Williams would not only depend on Steffi Graf (seven Wimbledon victories), but also set the record of the Australian Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam titles. After recent weaker results, knee problems, a third-round finish at the French Open and only five tournament appearances this season before Wimbledon her time seemed to run slowly away.

One year after the lost Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber, chances for Williams on the green grass, where she can win many quick points with her serve, are promising. Of the first six of the seedling list, none of them had made it to the top eight. The women's organization WTA predicted Williams would win more wins in the All England Club than any other quarter-finalists combined.

Williams compensates for lack of fitness through power

Against Riske helped her during the break also her notes to preserve the concentration. The world ranking-55. Riske surprised the French Open winner and industry leader Ashleigh Barty in the last sixteen. And also against the 72-fold tournament winner Erin Williams, the 29-year-old began better initially.

A 1: 3 deficit made Williams, then back with 3: 4 back. But after three more game starts in series for Williams was half the work done. That the soon 38-year-old Williams does not have the fitness of some competitors, was also noticeable in the quarterfinals. If Riske let her go, she was in distress. But there are also moments when she excels, with her own power or a sense for the situation.

In the second set, Williams gave the serve to the crucial 4: 5, wiping the sweat from his forehead and getting his right ankle bandaged because she was slightly bent over. In the third round, the decision came when Riske Williams made it 5: 3 with a double penalty. "I'm really satisfied," Williams said, paying tribute to her opponent: "She was so close to winning today."