run and a 6-3 Williams lead.
In set two at one game all with Pegula serving, Williams struck an inside out crosscourt swing volley winner which she followed up with two forehand winners to lead 0-40.
Pegula sent a crosscourt backhand wide to drop serve and trail 1-2.
Four consecutive holds of serve saw Williams hold on to the set two lead serving ahead at 4-3.
On game point at 40-15, Williams struck a down the line backhand volley winner to hold serve and lead 5-3.
Serving to stay in the match, Pegula saved three match points and survived a four deuce game to hold serve and reach 5-4. Williams had struck three consecutive groundstrokes long from the baseline to end the game.
Then with Williams serving for the match, the seven time Australian Open champion hit several of her fastest serves of the day.
Williams struck an inside out crosscourt forehand winner to lead 40-0 before striking a down backhand winner to end the match.
With the win, Williams moves from ten to nine in today’s WTA Tour rankings.
The American also further moves ahead as one of the favorites of this year’s Australian Open which is to be contested in Melbourne beginning on January 20th.
