Down but not out, Serena Williams into Australian Open QFs

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Serena Williams has returned to the Australian Open quarterfinals by getting past No. 7 seed Aryna Sabalenka in three sets. The 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory put Williams one step closer to her record-tying 24th Grand Slam title overall and eighth championship at Melbourne Park. Her most recent major trophy came at the Australian Open in 2017. This was Williams’ 62nd fourth-round match at a major tournament and only the second for Sabalenka. The 39-year-old American next faces No. 2-ranked Simona Halep. Defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic beat Milos Raonic to reach the quarterfinals and register his 300th win in a Grand Slam match.