Venus Williams of the United States celebrates after the Women's Singles quarter final match against Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic at the 2017 U.S. Open in New York, the United States, Sept. 5, 2017. Venus Williams won 2-1. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
NEW YORK, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams became the oldest semifinalist in US Open history at age 37 with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(2) thriller win over Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Coming up next for the US ninth seed will be the clash against her 83rd-ranked compatriot Sloane Stephens, who edged past Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4).
Williams, who improved to 2-4 all-time against the Czech 13th seed, will return to the world top five for the first time since January 2011. All six of the matches between Williams and Kvitova have gone to a third set.
"I'm so fortunate to have won that match. It came down to the wire," Williams said. "I try to tell myself enjoy the competition, enjoy the battle and I think I was able to do that."
Williams gave up the first break of serve trailing at 3-1 with three double faults, but was able to reel off five straight games as Kvitova racked up too many errors.
A loose Williams game early in the second offered Kvitova the lifeline she needed and she clawed back to take the second set.
Two brilliant cross-court backhands gave Kvitova an early break in the third but Williams recovered from 3-1 down, leveling it when the Czech double-faulted.
It came down to a tiebreak and a brilliant return at 1-1 was enough to give Williams the momentum. Roared on by the New York crowd, the 2000 and 2001 champion powered to 6-1 and never looked back.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, 27, ended a remarkable run just nine months since she suffered a knife attack at her home, which left her requiring surgery to her playing hand.
"Everything she has gone through is unbelievable," said Williams.
"It's wonderful to see her back and playing. I was so excited to see her playing well, to be able to play her. I hope we have more matches like that."
