Serena showed no mercy against Li Na in U.S. Open semifinals

Serena Williams pounded 19 winners, including four aces, to Li Na's eight, in their semifinal matchup.

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• After "suitable rest," Serena will return to the court Friday night to play in the doubles semifinals with Venus. And with the finals on Sunday, there will be scant time to reflect on this win. But this has the make the short list of Serena's "best ever" matches. Against a top opponent in form, on the biggest stage in the sport, Serena was peerless. Stats don't always tell the story, but they offer a lot of forensic evidence. Serena served well, returned well, kept the ball in the court and simply smothered Li Na. Last year, Azarenka came within two points of taking down the Great Serena Williams. But, boy, it's hard to see Serena failing to close out still another Grand Slam.