GRAND Slam champion and legend, Serena Williams might have been warming up for the Australian Open at the lower ranked tournament in Auckland, but the American certainly made a statement in the semi-finals. Williams wasted no time in completely dismantling countrywoman and third seed, Amanda Anisimova 6-1 6-1. Now only little known fellow American, Jessica Pegula standing between Williams and yet another title.

It was Williams’ best performance of the ASB Classic, slamming home five aces and breaking her opponents’ serve five times in the rapid 43-minute match. Such was her dominance from the first game, Williams won 10 of a possible 11 return points off her opponent who struggled to contain the hard hitter. The second set saw the American champion just take out the set with her powerful serving, breaking twice and producing four aces and winning 80 per cent of points on-serve. Anisimova on the other hand managed just six of 15 as she was no match for Williams and her solid tournament in New Zealand came to an end.

In a complete contrast, the other semi-final at Auckland lasted almost two hours as Pegula came from a set down to defeat fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki. Coming into the match, the 82nd ranked Pegula was the underdog, but after losing the first set and winning a tight second set, stormed away to a 3-6 6-4 6-0 win over the inconsistent Wozniacki. The Danish seed started the stronger of the pair, serving strongly with a couple of aces and leading the way in all the statistical categories, as well as breaking twice. The second set was flipped the other way, with Pegula’s serving now leading the way, winning the majority of her second service points compared to her highly touted opponent, and breaking twice to secure the set and level the match. The third and deciding set was a complete rout as Wozniackie could only win 10 points for the set as Pegula needed just 25 to take out the set in what was very different to the opening two, breaking three times from a possible five opportunities and winning seven of her eight points from first serves in the set. Now a much bigger task awaits in the form of Williams who will be the biggest challenge of her career.