Serena Williams storms into Australian Open semifinals

Serena Williams celebrates her win over Dominika Cibulkova in the quarterfinals

Melbourne, Jan 28 (IANS)

World No.1 Serena Williams stormed past 11th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-2 in 65 minutes here Wednesday to reach her first Australian Open tennis semifinals since winning the title in 2010. Williams came back from a set down to win her last third and fourth round matches, but there was no sign of any trouble this time, as she was ahead from the start to the finish.

She hit 31 winners - which included a whopping 15 aces - to just 18 unforced errors. She also didn't drop a serve in the match at the Melbourne Park.

Williams is now through to the semi-finals here for the first time since capturing the title five years ago, having won here five times in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010, more than any other woman in the Open Era.