Sublime Serena is showing no mercy
Serena Williams is just two wins away from confirming her total domination of women's tennis after destroying 11th seed Daniela Hantuchova in the US Open quarter-finals.
Hantuchova is one of the brightest stars to emerge on the circuit, but she was taken apart 6-2, 6-2, in 55 minutes by the catsuitwearing Serena, who now faces Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals and then a probable third successive Grand Slam final with sister Venus on Saturday.
Serena, who is aiming to become the first player to win the French, Wimbledon and US Open titles in a row since Steffi Graf in 1996, was superb, while Venus needed to dig deep to beat Chanda Rubin 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.
Serena said: "I don't know why I feel so relaxed at this tournament. I am having fun and I hope I can keep the feeling for another two matches. While it is my turn, I want to enjoy it as much as possible before it's someone else's."
Former champion Davenport has amazed herself by taking just eight months to swap a hospital bed for a place in the semifinals against Serena.
Davenport required surgery to cure a right knee problem before undergoing months of rehabilitation work.
It took 97 minutes of hard graft for Davenport to defeat Elena Bovina 3-6, 6-0, 6-2, and she said: "In February it was impossible in my mind to see myself in the semi-finals of the Open, and it's an amazing feeling to be a contender."
Sixth seed Monica Seles won the battle of former US Open champions, easing past Martina Hingis 6-4, 6-2, and into a quarterfinal clash with second seed Venus.
