US Open Women's singles semifinals: Serena whips Makarova to zoom into final

World number one Serena Williams took no chances with the searing heat on Arthur Ashe Stadium court by racing to a 6-1 6-3 rout of Ekaterina Makarova to reach the U.S. Open women's final on Friday.

Williams, winner of the last two U.S. Opens, came out firing, striking the ball with ferocious force and dazzling accuracy and needed only 60 minutes to advance against the 17th seeded Russian.

The top seed's opponent in the final will be 10th-seeded former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, who advanced in abrupt fashion when China's Peng Shuai was forced to retire due to heat illness trailing 7-6(1) 4-3 after two hours four minutes on the court.

Williams, who failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of the year's previous three slams, is aiming for her sixth U.S. title and an 18th slam singles crown that would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth on the all-time list.

Earlier, Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the final in dramatic fashion when China's Peng Shuai was forced to retire due to heat illness, putting the Dane one win away from winning an elusive Grand Slam title.

Wozniacki was leading 7-6(1) 4-3 and closing in on victory when Peng suddenly grabbed her thighs and stumbled to the back wall of Arthur Ashe Stadium court with what appeared to be severe cramping.

In obvious distress, the 28-year-old doubles specialist was eventually helped off the court.

A valiant Peng, playing in her first career grand slam singles semi-final, refused to throw in the towel, returning 11 minutes later determined to continue.

But after six points Peng was left curled up in agony on the baseline, her mouth open in agony before officials called the match.

A tearful Peng, who was consoled by her opponent, was then lifted into a wheelchair and taken from the court to a standing ovation.

"It was very difficult (to Peng)," said Wozniacki. "You're out here and you want to battle, and you want to finish it off.

"I just feel sorry for Peng because she played really well out there. It was really hot here on court.

"It's just unfortunate that she fell ill and I hope that she will be ok."

On another hot and humid day at the U.S. National Tennis Center, the packed stadium had been enjoying a riveting baseline battle with Peng, one of the top servers at Flushing Meadows, going against Wozniacki, one of the game's top returners.

But the mood suddenly turned from excitement to worry as Peng, without warning was overcome by the heat.

At first Peng appeared to be wracked with cramps, stretching her legs as she stumbled backwards. Soon she was bent over unable to stand.

As trainers came to her aid the Chinese player had to be helped to her feet with one official under each shoulder offering support.

When Peng was taken from the court, there was confusion over whether the match had been stopped before an official medical timeout was announced by the chair umpire.

Peng, who had not dropped a set on her way to the semi-finals, had looked capable of taking one more step to the final as she got the match off to a determined start.

Twice Peng took the initiative in the opening set with a break but a relentless Wozniacki broke right back on both occasions, the second time at 6-5, to force a tiebreak.

Wozniacki dominated the tiebreak, winning 7-1, to take the first set of the tournament from her unseeded opponent.

Peng quickly regrouped and broke Wozniacki at the first opportunity to take control of the second set but again the Dane had an immediate response breaking right back.

Shortly afterwards Peng began to falter as Wozniacki broke again for a 3-2 lead and Peng continued on a downward spiral. 

SECOND SET: SERENA WILLIAMS 6 EKATERINA MAKAROVA 3

The pressure is still on Makarova as a couple of unforced errors gives Serena a 15-30 advantage and then a breakpoint which Serena seals to claim the match. Makarova 3 Serena 6

BREAK! Brilliant comeback from Makarova as she earns a crucial break to stay in the match. Serena has been committing a lot of unforced errors. Makarova 3 Serena 5

BREAK! Serena playing some impeccable tennis out there. Makarova struggling to stay on as she hands over a double breakpoint advantage to the American. Serena picks the first one to force another break. Makarova 0 Serena 3 

Brutal serves from Serena as she serves two successive aces as Makarova can only watch in awe. Makarova 0 Serena 2 

BREAK! Serena hardly wastes any time to take an early break in the second set. Makarova 0 Serena 1 

FIRST SET: SERENA WILLIAMS 6 EKATERINA MAKAROVA 1

Serena is playing at a completely different league at the moment. Drops just a single point to take the set easily. Serena 6 Makarova 1

BREAK! It's another double breakpoint for Serena as she looks to be in pristine touch racing away to take the first set. She misses the first one before wrapping the second one to take a big lead. Serena 5 Makarova 1

It's all looking easy for Serena at the moment. Stunning forehand shots backed by powerful serves is doing the trick for the American. Makarova is putting up a strong fight taking it to deuce but Serena is too strong blasting two successive winners. Serena 4 Makarova 1

BREAK! Some spectacular shots from Serena as she surges into a 15-40 lead to earn a double breakpoint. Makarova manages to save one before Serena claims the break. Serena 3 Makarova 1

Serena harldy wastes any time as she wraps the game. The powerful serves is what Makarova has to keep a watch on. Serena 2 Makarova 1

Makarova serves well but Serena looks to be returning well. She has the power to disturb Makarova, who still manages to hold on to her serve. Serena 1 Makarova 1

Serena makes a grand start winning her first game comfortably. She looks in complete focus. Serena 1 Makarova 0

PREVIEW 

World number one Serena Williams will be the hot favourite when she takes on Ekaterina Makarova in the semifinals of the US Open.

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