Six-time champion Serena Williams battled through a challenging three-set test against…

Greek 15th seed Maria Sakkari to reach the US Open quarter-finals. Williams, 38, looked composed as she took the first set in 37 minutes. The third seed lost a close tie-break in the second and was forced to find her best tennis to come from a break down in the third and win 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 almost two hours later. “I just kept fighting,” Williams said. “She was doing so well. She was being so aggressive and I knew I needed to do the same thing.” Williams’ next opponent is Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova, who has never reached the US Open quarter-finals before and is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon 2017. Pironkova beat French world number 56 Alize Cornet 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3. The American is seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles title as she attempts to equal Margaret Court’s record.