Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the first of the 2018 US Open women's semi finals. It's six-time champion Serena Williams against Latvia's No.18 seed, Anastasija Sevastova. The players are due out on Arthur Ashe Stadium's court shortly.

GAME, SET AND MATCH!- WILLIAMS 6-3 6-0 SEVASTOVA. Serena serves out the match to 15 to book her place in the final with the bonus of a bagel. The 36-year-old American is now just one match away from equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 major titles on home soil. Saturday will see her bid for a seventh title in what is her ninth US Open final. She will meet either Naomi Osaka or Madison Keys after a one-sided last-four clash lasting just one hour and five minutes.

BREAK! - WILLIAMS 6-3 5-0 SEVASTOVA. It's another break and a potential bagel is on. A crosscourt backhand drive and a brutal forehand winner claim the game to 15 and Williams is one game away from the final. She's been a class above after a brief, sluggish start in the opening set.

WILLIAMS 6-3 4-0 SEVASTOVA. Serena briefly offers some hope when she fires down a first double fault to trail 0-30. But she remains calm and rattles through four points in a row to back up the double break.

Indeed. It's adding a new dimension to her game.

BREAK! - WILLIAMS 6-3 3-0 SEVASTOVA. Serena is firmly on course for her ninth US Open final appearance. Sevastova lashes down a first ace of the contest to move 30-0 ahead, but Williams responds with winners 23 and 24 off either flank. Seva then lobs long before miscuing a backhand to cough up the double break.

WILLIAMS 6-3 2-0 SEVASTOVA. The American consolidates to 30, once again producing some splendid volleying at the net. She has been hugely impressive when moving forward tonight.

BREAK! - WILLIAMS 6-3 1-0 SEVASTOVA. Serena almost toys with Seva as the Latvian fights back from triple break point down to snare the advantage from deuce. It sees her go tantalisingly close to an important recovery, but Williams refuses to be denied, venturing into the net to great effect and taking the game on her fourth BP.

SET! - WILLIAMS 6-3 SEVASTOVA. Serena pounds down a couple of aces, including her fastest serve of the night at 120 mph, as she convincingly serves out the opener to 15 in 39 minutes.

WILLIAMS 5-3 SEVASTOVA. Seva stops the rot and poses the serve-out question with a hold to 15.

WILLIAMS 5-2 SEVASTOVA. Serena slams down her first ace and then despatches a devastating overhead as she makes it five games on the spin with a rampant hold to 15. Sevastova gets a clap of appreciation from the American for a corking backhand winner, but it's all she can muster as this first set threatens to run away from her.

BREAK! - WILLIAMS 4-2 SEVASTOVA. The No.19 seed is looking highly frustrated. The momentum is firmly with Serena as she roars back from 40-15 down to take the game from deuce with a brutal crosscourt winner.

WILLIAMS 3-2 SEVASTOVA. Serena makes it three in a row with a sweeping crosscourt backhand pass. There have been some entertaining exchanges with both players mixing it up.

BREAK! - WILLIAMS 2-2 SEVASTOVA. Anastasija's serve comes under examination as Williams looks to pounce upon what is often a timid second serve. The Latvian battles back from 0-30 and 30-40 down and produces one of the shots of the night so far, with a delicious slice drop shot from deep. However, Serena won't let her off the hook and converts on her third break opportunity to move level.