Serena hungry for eighth title

As Serena Williams prepares for her 35th Grand Slam semifinal, the American star says a fear of failure is driving her bid for an eighth Wimbledon title.

Serena avoided a major upset on Tuesday as the former world number one battled back to beat unseeded Camila Giorgi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a Centre Court thriller.

The 36-year-old's quarterfinal escape act set up a last four showdown with German 13th seed Julia Goerges on Thursday.

"You're only as good as your last win. It's been a while since I've won a championship," Serena said.

But the 23-time major winner is heavily favoured to end her wait this week, fuelled by the thought of suffering the painful sting left by her rare defeats.

"I hate losing. I mean, that's no secret. But I feel like every time I lose, I get better," she said.

"It's important for me to have the losses. Just the fewer the better for me!"

Serena is playing only her fourth tournament since becoming a mother for the first time.

Having shaken off the rust following her lengthy lay-off after the complications with Olympia's birth, Serena is on the verge of a 10th Wimbledon final appearance and 30th in all four Grand Slams.

"Everything right now is a little bit of a surprise, to be here, to be in the semifinals," she said.

"I always say I plan on it. But when it actually happens, it still is, like, wow, this is really happening."

With Olympia's arrival and her marriage to husband Alexis both taking place since Serena was last at Wimbledon, this year's campaign has a unique feel.

"It's different now obviously because I have the baby. Being a mom is totally different," she said.

"I just want to be more of that role model for my daughter, for lots of people out there that just want to be inspired."

"Here is some good news. Right now there's so much bad news in the world. We just need a good story."