Serena through to Miami Open semi-finals after registering 700th career win

Williams will face world number 3 Simona Halep in the semi-final

Ever the spirited fighter, a seemingly out-of-sorts Serena Williams overcame as many as 51 unforced errors to register a jaw-dropping 700th career win over Sabine Lisciki of Germany to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Open. Serena beat Lisicki 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 to set a date with World Number 3, Simona Halep on Thursday night.

A visibly frustrated Serena dropped the second set 1-6 after having fought hard to clinch the opening set in the tie-breaker. Lisicki, the 2013 Wimbledon finalist, looked to have the upper hand after she decimated the two-time defending Champion in the second set, and the World Number One’s campaign was on the cusp of being derailed.

But, Serena rallied back strongly to win the third and final set 6-3. Serena’s momentous achievement comes close on the heels of Andy Murray, clinching his 500th career win at the same event on Wednesday.

After having persevered to register a hard earned win, Serena said – “I know today wasn't my best day, "I just told myself, I'm not serving the way I normally serve and hitting the way I normally would hit, so at this point all I can do is just fight and try to give 200 percent instead of 100 percent."

“I think it’s my destiny to play tennis”, said Serena. "I saw a picture where I was in a stroller on the tennis court."

The win took Serena’s career record to 700-120 and she was presented with a cake in honour of her tremendous achievement.

Her semi-final opponent, Simona Halep overcame Sloane Stephens of America in straight sets, 6-1, 7-5.

The other semi-final will witness World No.9 Andrea Petkovic take on No.12 Carla Suarez Navarro.