Defending champion Serena Williams moved to within one match of retaining her title after as she fought her way past world number 3 Svetlana Kuznetsova in impressive style to register a 3-6 7-5 6-3 victory in 2 hours and 47 minutes of compelling baseline tennis.

Coming into the match the four-time champion held a 3-1 advantage in their previous encounters, but today for much of the first two sets it was the Russian who looked the more dominant off the ground as her accurate laser-like ground shots stretched the defending champion to her limits.

After both girls exchanged early breaks in the opening set, Kuznetsova got the decisive break to go ahead 3-1 and closed out the set on serve in 53 minutes.

The second set saw Serena tighten up her game sufficiently, holding off 2 break points in her opening service game and then with Kuznetsova serving at 5-6, she pounced, nailing a forehand return down the line for a clean winner to bring up 15-30. The Russian feeling the heat from her opponent netted a backhand off a deep Serena return to give the former world number 1 two set points. Seconds later we were at a set all when Kuznetsova netted a relatively simple high forehand volley as the stadium erupted in collective delight.

The final set saw four consecutive breaks of serve until Serena from break point down held for 3-2.

In a mammoth sixth game, Kuznetsova holding on for dear life saved 2 break points as Serena failed to execute the coup de grace in the 5 deuces game. At this point the compelling contest was like a vintage wine, getting better and better with age as both girls refused to submit.

The American with the aid of 3 consecutive aces held for 4-3 and then finally got the breakthrough in the next game, breaking on her fourth break point when the tired Russian netted a let-cord return on the backhand as Serena pumped her fists in elation.

From 15-40 down, Serena won 4 points in a row, including a 100mph ace out wide to seal the hard fought victory as the weary Russian's backhand lob sailed long at match point.

Serena was into the final of the Sony Ericsson Open, but only she knows just how deep she needed to dig to get there.

"It's always good to come out on top", Serena admitted. "I think I was a little disappointed in the way I played, but I'm just moving on.

Serena acknowledged that her mental strength won her the match.

"I do think it was abouit being mentally tough and making the right shot at the right time and just never giving up. I played a really good opponent today who has been down several match points this tournament, so I knew she wasn't just going to give it to me.

"All my friends come out and I had promised them tickets for saturday, so I was like, I can't lose. I've got to stay in there a little bit longer. It was mainly my motivation."

Serena said that holding onto her opening service game in the second set after being two break points down was the key to launching her comeback.

"Yeah, it was definately crucial. I mean, in this match it seemed like every point was crucial, like at any point the match could have turned or went a different way. It was really a good match, just to focus on each point. You really have to be focused for everything."

Serena converted just 5 of 16 break point opportunities compared to Kuznetsova's  4/11.

"I definately think I could have done a lot better on those points and I didn't take the opportunities the way I could have", Williams said. "I guess this match is over."

Kuznetsova recognised that she was certainly the better player early on and felt that she missed the chance to win in straight sets. 

"I think if I'd have played the right points at the right time it would be a little bit more lucky and I would have done it in two sets", Kuznetsova said. "I was up a set and 15-40 and there was a possiblity to go for it. It seemed like when I was on the top of the result and top of the game, I was playing too careful and she was better. She was playing better. Sometimes she just played incredible shots. You know, it's just tennis. She just played better in the third set." 

Andre Jones

Crandon Park

Key Biscayne

Miami