Serena Williams
IN PHOTO: Apr 1, 2015; Key Biscayne, FL, USA; Serena Williams poses with a cake celebrating her 700th WTA win after her match against Sabine Lisicki (not pictured) on day ten of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Williams won 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Serena Williams is through to the last four of the 2015 Miami Open after defeating Sabine Lisicki in the quarterfinals 7-6(4) 1-6 6-3 on April 1. The victory also marks Serena’s 700th career win and her 16th straight victory in Key Biscayne, where she won the title in 2013 and 2014.

Williams won the tight first set on a tie-break. In the second set, Lisicki fought back after Williams broke her in the first game and won the next six games to close the second set. However, the American seemed determined to defend her crown at Crandon Park Tennis Centre. Williams went on to lead the third set 3-0 and ultimately win the match after two hours and one minute.

Williams fired four aces and won four of her 10 break point opportunities. She had six double faults and 51 unforced errors.

The World No. 1 now joins the likes of Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Virginia Wade, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Lindsay Davenport and Conchita Martinez, who had all gone past the 700th career win. After the match, the tournament organisers gave Williams a special cake for the new milestone that she has achieved.

Williams admitted that the quarterfinals match was not one of her “best days.” She knew she needed to give her 200 percent to win against Lisicki, who had beaten her twice in the past.

“Lisicki had a lot of momentum going into the third set after winning the second,” Williams said after the match. “I just wanted to stay strong and basically really wanted to hold serve.”

Williams will face the winner of the match between Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens. Williams lead the head-to-head record on both players. She is 4-1 against Halep and 3-1 against compatriot Stephens.

In other semifinals match, Carla Suarez-Navarro will meet Andrea Petkovic after the Spanish player dispatched Williams’ older sister Venus 0-6 6-1 7-5. Petkovic, on the other hand, booked her semifinals place after her straight sets victory over Karolina Pliskova, 6-4 6-4.

In men’s singles, Andy Murray is the first player to advance in the semifinals after beating Dominic Thiem in a three-setter match, 3-6 6-4 6-1. Murray will face either Tomas Berdych or Juan Monaco next.

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