Serena storms into US Open semi-final

NEW YORK, Sept 4 (AFP): Serena Williams roared back from an early deficit to defeat Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2 Wednesday and book a US Open semi-final clash with Ekaterina Makarova.
Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final of 2014, world number one Williams kept her bid for a third-straight US Open title-and sixth overall-alive as she stretched her perfect record over the 11th-seeded Italian to 6-0.
"I'm just so happy to have won," the 17-time Grand Slam champion said, noting that she'd had a "tough year" in the majors.
"It feels so special to be back in a semi-final, especially in New York."
In Makarova she'll face a first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.The 17th-seeded Russian advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over former world number one Victoria Azarenka-runner-up to Williams the past two years.
"I'm feeling amazing-finally I'm in a semi-final," said the Russian left-hander, who had failed in four prior major quarter-finals. "It's a great feeling."