Serena Surges Past Putintseva

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

PARIS, France – Defending champion and top seed Serena Williams was on the ropes for much of her quarterfinal encounter with Yulia Putintseva, but the American found a way to outgut the inspired young Kazakh, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the last four at the French Open.

Putintseva was playing her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, but the 21-year-old proved more that ready for primetime on Court Philippe Chatrier, winning three games in a row to capture her first set over Serena in three previous meetings.

Undaunted, the American appeared on course to quickly level the contest when she recovered from an early break to race out to a 4-1 lead in the second, but Putintseva dug deep to earn two break points in the ninth game, which would have given her the chance to serve for a spot in the semifinals.

“I just kept hitting balls out,” Serena told press, assessing her performance. “I just wasn’t firing the way I wanted to. I definitely knew I needed to do something different if I was going to stay in the tournament.

“I always try to have a plan B and C and go from there. But I felt like in the beginning of the second set, I started playing better, but then I let her come back.

“I also think she’s an incredible fighter, so she kind of came back through her will and making shots.

“Then after that I was like, I have to do something better and different if I’m going to stick around.”

Williams ultimately held firm and weathered one last surge late in the decider from the youngster – who saved three match points in a row in that final game – to advance in just over two hours, hitting 36 winners to 43 unforced errors.

“I think the match was very close and very far from being on my side,” Putintseva told press after the match. “I was trying to do everything what I can, to run, to cover, to attack when I can, to go forward. But it just was unlucky situation end of the second set for me.

“But it’s okay. I mean, still have some years to play Grand Slams.”

In all, Putintseva can be pleased with a clean score sheet, hitting 18 winners to 16 unforced, but wasn’t able to dicate play in the key moments against the World No.1 and 21-time Grand Slam champion.

“I had some great wins here. I win some really good matches in straight sets. I’m really happy with that. I’m really happy with the level that I was playing during all of this tournament.

“I got a lot of experience now. I played on center court here in Roland Garros, which is great. I just hope to come back stronger and next time to play better in important moments.”

Set to play Kiki Bertens – who upset No.8 seed Timea Bacsinszky on Court Suzanne Lenglen – in the semifinals, Serena stands just two wins away from tying Steffi Graf’s Grand Slam haul of 22 titles.

“I remember her being just really tough, and, you know, giving a good, tough performance,” Serena said about when she last played Bertens at the US Open. “I was happy to get through that match. Just, you know, every match counts and every match, you know, leads to a new one.

“I know she won the week before and she’s been playing really well. I saw a little bit of her match. We kind of finished around the same time so I didn’t get to see all of it, but I saw some of the highlights.

“She’s a really sweet girl. It’s always good to see someone like that do well.”

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