Serena Williams produced a stirring comeback to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon after Victoria Azarenka had threatened to end her bid to win a first calendar Grand Slam.
Azarenka has never beaten Williams on grass, but the former world No. 1 looked capable of ending that dismal record when she won the first set on Tuesday.
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Top seed Williams refused to be beaten, though, as she won a thrilling quarterfinal on Centre Court 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to set up a semi-final against Maria Sharapova.
Williams, who came up with 46 winners and 17 aces, has already won the Australian and French Open titles this year and she looks in no mood to be denied a sixth Wimbledon title — which would take her incredible tally of Grand Slam triumphs to 21.
Azarenka began the match in the ascendancy when she earned two break points with a thumping forehand winner and took a 3-1 lead when Williams netted with a backhand.
Williams was in all kinds of trouble as Azarenka raced into a 5-2 lead and eventually took the opener on her third set point.
A pumped-up Williams and the stylish Azarenka were serving up some high-quality tennis and the American stooped to come up with an incredible winner after racing forward at speed to end one of several thrilling rally.
Azarenka was in trouble in a lengthy fourth game in which Williams had three break points, but thwarted the top seed to draw level at 2-2 in the second set of a gripping contest.
Williams had to save another break point in the following game as Azarenka sensed a famous victory, but the American stood firm and then claimed her first break to lead 4-2 when Azarenka was unable to return a vicious backhand.
Azarenka could have responded immediately when another two break points came along in the following game, but Williams was soon giving another fist pump after holding and wrapped up the set when her opponent sent a forehand into the net.
The momentum was all with Williams now, as she broke in the second game of the decider when Azarenka fired a backhand wide under pressure.
Williams somehow came up with a stunning winner down at her feet in the following game and went 3-0 up with a booming ace.
Azarenka continued to come up with groundstrokes of the highest order, but she was unable to reach a third semi-final at Wimbledon as Williams' class and sheer will win to win shone through.
Williams jumped for joy after Azarenka fired beyond the baseline on match point as Azarenka suffered a 17th defeat in 20 meetings with the all-conquering American.