Venus Williams beat Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets on Tuesday - 6-3, 7-5
It took Williams just 73 minutes to eliminate the French Open champion
The American's powerful first serves were difficult for Ostapenko to deal with
Williams won just two rallies but her service game was strong enough
She calmly walked the baseline, calmly gestured for her towel and calmly eliminated the French Open champion in 73 minutes, on her way to a tenth Wimbledon semi-final. Age, it seems, has given Venus Williams more time than ever.
Jelena Ostapenko’s eleven previous straight Grand Slam wins were an incidental detail, just like her maiden elite title at Roland Garros two months ago. The Latvian has been a cyclone of a player during that run but she vanished, lost in the storm of the Williams serve.
It is a weapon which requires more forethought now that the American – who was the oldest quarter finalist since Martina Navratilova 23 years ago - is 37. On occasions, the No 11 sent it spearing into the Latvian’s body, to great effect. The 97mph missile Williams delivered to clinch the first set left her opponent staggering out of its path, like the recipient of a pace bowler’s steepling bouncer.
