Serena Williams was pushed hard by fifth seed Simona Halep before coming through in three sets to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.
The American six-time champion won a gripping contest 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Flushing Meadows night session to close in on a 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
Williams, 34, will play Czech 10th seed Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows (00:00 BST, Friday).
They will be followed by Angelique Kerber against Caroline Wozniacki.
Williams and Kerber are battling for the world number one ranking, with the American knowing that, to hang on to top spot, she must reach the final.
Should the German second seed line up as her opponent on Saturday, Williams will have to beat her to stay on top.
Pliskova, 24, beat Croatian teenager Ana Konjuh 6-2 6-2 to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.
She did not face a break point and dropped only five points on her serve as she swept past the 18-year-old in just 57 minutes.
“I am so excited to be in my first semi-final, especially in this tournament,” said Pliskova. “I very much love New York and the hard-court season.”
BBC
US Open 2016: Serena Williams Into Semi final
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