A rampaging Serena Williams moved to the brink of a record equalling 24th career Grand Slam title on Thursday storming past Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-1 to book her spot in the U.S. Open final.

Since returning to action after the birth of her first child Williams has come agonisingly close to matching Margaret Court’s mark three times and will have a chance on Saturday to do so in front of an adoring home crowd for a second successive year.

Last year Williams was left in tears following a chaotic and controversial loss to Naomi Osaka on Arthur Ashe Stadium. She has also lost two Wimbledon finals since her return.Now all that stands between the 37-year-old and her Holy Grail is Canadian Bianca Andreescu or Swiss Belinda Bencic, who will meet in the other semi-final later on Thursday.

The semi-final offered a classic matchup of styles with Williams and her prodigious power up against Svitolina, one of the best counter punchers in the women’s game.

Williams did not have her ‘A’ game in warm conditions but the former-world number one knew exactly what was needed particularly on the big points.

“I don’t think she played amazing today but she played very high level at the beginning where you had to make a difference,” said Svitolina. “I think she knows what she has to do.The fifth seeded Ukrainian had no shortage of chances herself but could not convert any of six break opportunities.

A ruthless Williams, however, bombarded Svitolina with punishing forehands and six aces to register her 101st U.S. Open win, which tied her with Chris Evert for the most at Flushing Meadows.

Williams arrived at the year’s final Grand Slam with a scowl and an all business demeanor that has swatted aside a raft of challengers throughout her run to the final.

Any concerns over the back spasms that forced her to quit the Toronto final and out of Cincinnati were eased when she opened her Flushing Meadows account with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of old rival Maria Sharapova.