Serena Williams will gun for her first title in three years on Sunday when she meets unheralded American Jessica Pegula in the Auckland’s ASB Classic final.
Williams crushed semi-final opponent Amanda Anisimova in the American pair’s first meeting on Saturday, winning 6-1 6-1 in 43 minutes.
Anisimova, 20 years Williams’ junior, said it was the happiest moment of her life when she won through to face her idol and 23-time major winner.
But, like many before her, she found the reality of being on court with the all-time great to be less enjoyable.
Williams struck winner after winner against the rising 18-year-old in a dominant display that puts her in good stead to claim that elusive 24th major title when she heads to Melbourne Park this month.
“I was definitely in the zone today. It was just one of those days,” Williams said.
“I’ve been working really hard. I tend to be really hard on myself. Considering everything I’m doing pretty good.”
Williams made just six unforced errors in the rout, striking 19 winners.
Sunday’s final gives the 38-year-old a chance to arrest a late-career losing streak of five deciders, including a pair of defeats at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Her last title was the 2017 Australian Open, a tournament she won while pregnant with her first daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
Williams will also play off for the doubles title on Sunday, with her best friend on the WTA tour and retiring former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.
Wozniacki, who will leave professional tennis after the Australian Open, was denied a place in the final by Pegula.
Pegula came from a set down to win 3-6 6-4 6-0 in less than two hours
“Caroline has had an amazing career and I know she’s retiring, so I’m glad I got to play her,” Pegula said.
“I definitely knew that if I was going to play defensive, I was not going to win that battle. I had to step in and take my chances and trust my game.”
Wozniacki is retiring after wanting to accomplish more off-court, including starting a family with husband and former NBA All-Star David Lee.
