The world No. 1 outlasted the defending champion 7-6 (1) 3-6 6-4 4-6 6-0 in Melbourne on Friday and will face Andy Murray in Sunday’s final.
In a match filled with momentum changes — but also brilliant shot-making — the turning point came early in the fifth.
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“I had a false start (this morning),” Williams said in a statement. “I wasn’t feeling really well. I’ve been sick with a cold all week and I got better, then I got worse this morning.
“I just had to go back (to the hotel), relax and take a nap, rejuvenate my body. I rescheduled practice for this afternoon. It went well … I felt better.”
