Serena Williams ousts Kirilenko to reach China Open quarterfinals, posts 70th win of season

World number one Serena Williams progressed to the quarterfinals of the China Open 2013 tournament after she defeated 2005 titlist Maria Kirilenko of Russia 7-5, 7-5. The win marks Williams’ 70th match win of the season. This is the most number of wins Williams have had in a single season. Her previous personal best was 58 wins.

The match was surprisingly a close one considering that Williams had beaten Kirilenko in their past seven matches. The American had to save three sets points in the first set and had to fight back from a break down in the second to secure the victory.

“I just thought, ‘What else can I do except fight for this point and the next point,'” Williams said. “Maybe I got lucky a little bit – I just started to relax and kind of swing and not think about it too much out there. I’m obviously just really happy to get through this match today.”

Williams will next face Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the quarterfinals.