KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 29: Venus Williams his a forehand shot during a match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
Venus Williams made tennis history on Wednesday evening by becoming the oldest player (age 36) to beat a world No. 1 by defeating Angelique Kerber in the Miami Open quarterfinals.
The American eliminated her German opponent in an hour and 39 minutes with a 7-5, 6-3 victory in Key Biscayne, Florida, while her father Richard Williams watched from a court-side box usually reserved for photographers.
It was the first match Venus played that her father got to attend in nearly a year, and it proved to be very emotional for Serena Williams’ older sister.
“[My dad] really wanted it for me,” Venus said afterward, a broad smile lighting her face. “I could hear him on the sidelines. It’s always a happy moment, when I come off the court. Even if I lose, he’s still very happy. But to see the joy and the pride and the excitement — I could win the match just for that.”
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Williams will next face tenth-seeded Johanna Konta, the British number one, in the semifinals on Thursday night at 9 pm EST. Konta advanced by defeating third-seeded Romanian Simona Halep 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 on Wednesday.
Halep, who saved a match point in her victory over 14th-seed Sam Stosur of Australia in the previous round, edged an even first set thanks to just one break of Konta’s serve, but struggled at the beginning of the second as the Brit started to dominate.
Konta was just one point away from gaining a 4-0 lead but Halep fought back, breaking in the next set to get said set back on service. After that however, Konta didn’t struggle much to get the victory, as Halep lost her rhythm.
“I went up to a 3-0 lead and had chances to go 4-0 up, but she’s an incredible player and I knew it wouldn’t be over until we shook hands,” said Konta.
The Brit won her game in two and a half hours.
“I’m really happy to have come through and am looking forward to the next round,” added Konta. “It’s going to be a tough one.”
On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal beat 13th-seeded American Jack Sock 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semifinals.
The 30-year-old Spaniard, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, will next face Italian Fabio Fognini in Friday’s semifinal at 10 am EST. Fognini, 29, advanced by beating second-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan 6-4, 6-2 to become the first unseeded player in a decade to reach the semi-finals.
The remaining two men’s quarterfinals on Thursday will feature fourth-seeded Roger Federer against tenth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych at 3 pm EST, and then 16th-seeded German Alexander Zverev against 12th-seeded Australian Nick Kyrgios at 7 pm EST.
KEY BISCAYNE, FL – MARCH 29: Venus Williams his a forehand shot during a match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
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