Serena fires warning to rivals
Wiliams has lost to Henin in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon and the French Open this year
Sunday, 02, Sep 2007 08:50
Serena Williams stormed through to the quarter-finals of the US Open after beating Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-4 at Flushing Meadows.
The two-time champion made a sluggish start and dropped her opening service game.
But the 25-year-old American hit back by breaking Bartoli's serve twice to clinch the first set.
Williams, seeded eighth in the final grand slam of the year, broke in game five of the second set on her way to sealing the match.
The American is the first to book her place in the last eight where she could face bitter rival Justine Henin if the Belgian sees off Russia's Dinara Safina.
Wimbledon finalist Bartoli served well but struggled to contain Williams' ferocious groundstrokes.
Williams, an eight-time grand slam winner, fired ten aces and 32 winners at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 2002 champion at Flushing Meadows said she was pleased with her improving displays having recently recovered from a thumb injury.
"A couple of weeks ago, I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to come here," Williams said.
"I got off to a slow start but it worked out pretty good. If my serve is feeling good, I know that my game is feeling good."