Let`s go Girl!
Halep labors for win.
WHAT HAPPENED: Opening the Louis Armstrong Stadium program on the American Labor Day holiday, Simona Halep had to work hard to beat Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-2, 7-5, to advance to the US Open quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
While the score might not indicate a tough match, this was a blue-collar effort for both players. The one-hour and 38-minute tussle was dominated by lengthy baseline rallies, heavy ground strokes and lots of scampering around the court.
“I had to run a lot and I tried to be more aggressive today”, said No. 5 Halep, who made the semifinals last year in the Romanian’s her best showing at the Open in seven tries.
The duo were no strangers, having split 10 career matches, with the gritty Spaniard winning both of their previous Grand Slam matchups. Seven of the 10 matches had gone to three sets.
So it was a bit unexpected when Halep sprinted out to a 4-0 opening-set lead, breaking the No. 11 seed in the first and third games. The third game was a marathon, stretching to six deuces before Halep won the game on her fifth break point. Suarez Navarro, bidding to equal her best Open showing of the final eight in 2013, fought back, making every point a battle onto itself. Halep finally claimed the first set in 46 minutes on a backhand error.
How closely matched the duo were was reflected in the first-set statistics. Halep had 10 winners and nine unforced errors, the Spaniard had 10 winners and 10 errors.
The final set was similar in style of play but also had added tension in the final games, with Navarro rallying from 3-5 down. At 5-5, however, she dropped her serve when Halep cracked a forehand winning return. When Navarro dumped a backhand volley into the net on match point, Halep emphatically pumped her fist and blew kisses to the crowd.
“This was very special today to win, “said Halep. “I want to enjoy today.”
WHAT IT MEANS: While only 24 years old, Halep is a seasoned in making late runs into Grand Slams. She was French Open runner-up in 2014, made the US Open semifinals last year and Wimbledon in 2014 and twice was an Australian Open quarterfinalist. Halep has also had a hot summer, with a 24-3 won-lost match record since the French Open. She reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals and won at Montreal and made the semifinals at Cincinnati during the Emirates Airline US Open Series. So the bright lights of a likely next match in Arthur Ashe Stadium should not faze her.
THE QUESTION: World No. 1 Serena Williams should be Halep’s next opponent. Halep is 1-7 in her career against Williams and has lost the last three. Can she pull off a big upset?
WHAT HAPPENED: Opening the Louis Armstrong Stadium program on the American Labor Day holiday, Simona Halep had to work hard to beat Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-2, 7-5, to advance to the US Open quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
While the score might not indicate a tough match, this was a blue-collar effort for both players. The one-hour and 38-minute tussle was dominated by lengthy baseline rallies, heavy ground strokes and lots of scampering around the court.
“I had to run a lot and I tried to be more aggressive today”, said No. 5 Halep, who made the semifinals last year in the Romanian’s her best showing at the Open in seven tries.
The duo were no strangers, having split 10 career matches, with the gritty Spaniard winning both of their previous Grand Slam matchups. Seven of the 10 matches had gone to three sets.
So it was a bit unexpected when Halep sprinted out to a 4-0 opening-set lead, breaking the No. 11 seed in the first and third games. The third game was a marathon, stretching to six deuces before Halep won the game on her fifth break point. Suarez Navarro, bidding to equal her best Open showing of the final eight in 2013, fought back, making every point a battle onto itself. Halep finally claimed the first set in 46 minutes on a backhand error.
How closely matched the duo were was reflected in the first-set statistics. Halep had 10 winners and nine unforced errors, the Spaniard had 10 winners and 10 errors.
The final set was similar in style of play but also had added tension in the final games, with Navarro rallying from 3-5 down. At 5-5, however, she dropped her serve when Halep cracked a forehand winning return. When Navarro dumped a backhand volley into the net on match point, Halep emphatically pumped her fist and blew kisses to the crowd.
“This was very special today to win, “said Halep. “I want to enjoy today.”
WHAT IT MEANS: While only 24 years old, Halep is a seasoned in making late runs into Grand Slams. She was French Open runner-up in 2014, made the US Open semifinals last year and Wimbledon in 2014 and twice was an Australian Open quarterfinalist. Halep has also had a hot summer, with a 24-3 won-lost match record since the French Open. She reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals and won at Montreal and made the semifinals at Cincinnati during the Emirates Airline US Open Series. So the bright lights of a likely next match in Arthur Ashe Stadium should not faze her.
THE QUESTION: World No. 1 Serena Williams should be Halep’s next opponent. Halep is 1-7 in her career against Williams and has lost the last three. Can she pull off a big upset?
Just another day at the office.....Shvedova is the 4th victim.....6-2...6-3.....Full steam ahead into the Quarters.
Kei makes quick work of Ivo Karlovic....6-3...6-4...7-6
Pliskova ousts Venus in three-set thriller.
WHAT HAPPENED: In a tight battle of big serves, deep ground strokes and changing fortunes, between two lanky and long-limbed power hitters, 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova came from behind and advanced to her first major quarterfinal, defeating Venus Williams, the two-time champion, in a third-set tiebreak.
Pliskova outlasted Williams, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. The tall Czech, 24, showed nerves early, beginning the match looking very tight in her first appearance in Arthur Ashe Stadium – but not late.
Pliskova rebounded from squandering three match points on her serve at 6-5, finally taking the victory on her fifth opportunity.
"It was very difficult when I lost my serve at 6-5," Pliskova admitted. "But I am very happy to come back to win."
Pliskova entered the Open on a hot streak. In Cincinnati, she thumped Angelique Kerber of Germany, the second-ranked player in the world, preventing her from taking over the top spot from Venus’s sister Serena.
In the 67-minute final set, Pliskova held a 4-2 advantage, but Venus clawed back, striking deep, angled balls to even it up at 4-all. The Czech broke serve for the second time in the set at 5-5, when her forehand drive clipped the tape and floated over Williams’s outstretched racquet for a winner.
Serving for the match, Pliskova quickly grabbed a 40-0 lead. But Williams again dug in, erasing three match points and claiming the break to get to a deciding tiebreak.
The tiebreak was all Pliskova.
In the opening set, Williams stormed to a 5-1 lead, repeatedly closing points at the net and making the tall Czech look distinctly average – often she was caught flat-footed watching the ball sail by. Pliskova finally began to find her rhythm. In the second set, she began putting more big serves in play (winning 89 percent of her first-serve points).
"Obviously, my serve is my biggest weapon," said Pliskova.
WHAT IT MEANS: Pliskova, who has been as high as No. 7 in the world, possesses effortless power in her smooth, flat ground strokes, and she is the tour leader in aces. Yet until this match she was considered an underachiever at majors; she was previously the only player in the Top 20 not to have reached a Slam quarterfinal.
Williams, at 36 the oldest woman in the draw, reached the quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows in 2015 (losing to her sister Serena) after a five-year drought here, in which she didn’t advance beyond the third round.
A tight match between Williams and Pliskova was not unexpected. They had met just once before, in 2015, and though Venus won in straight sets, it was an exceedingly close match: 7-5, 7-6.
THE QUESTION: This is the farthest Pliskova has made it in a major; can she keep it going and reach her first semifinal?
WHAT HAPPENED: In a tight battle of big serves, deep ground strokes and changing fortunes, between two lanky and long-limbed power hitters, 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova came from behind and advanced to her first major quarterfinal, defeating Venus Williams, the two-time champion, in a third-set tiebreak.
Pliskova outlasted Williams, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. The tall Czech, 24, showed nerves early, beginning the match looking very tight in her first appearance in Arthur Ashe Stadium – but not late.
Pliskova rebounded from squandering three match points on her serve at 6-5, finally taking the victory on her fifth opportunity.
"It was very difficult when I lost my serve at 6-5," Pliskova admitted. "But I am very happy to come back to win."
Pliskova entered the Open on a hot streak. In Cincinnati, she thumped Angelique Kerber of Germany, the second-ranked player in the world, preventing her from taking over the top spot from Venus’s sister Serena.
In the 67-minute final set, Pliskova held a 4-2 advantage, but Venus clawed back, striking deep, angled balls to even it up at 4-all. The Czech broke serve for the second time in the set at 5-5, when her forehand drive clipped the tape and floated over Williams’s outstretched racquet for a winner.
Serving for the match, Pliskova quickly grabbed a 40-0 lead. But Williams again dug in, erasing three match points and claiming the break to get to a deciding tiebreak.
The tiebreak was all Pliskova.
In the opening set, Williams stormed to a 5-1 lead, repeatedly closing points at the net and making the tall Czech look distinctly average – often she was caught flat-footed watching the ball sail by. Pliskova finally began to find her rhythm. In the second set, she began putting more big serves in play (winning 89 percent of her first-serve points).
"Obviously, my serve is my biggest weapon," said Pliskova.
WHAT IT MEANS: Pliskova, who has been as high as No. 7 in the world, possesses effortless power in her smooth, flat ground strokes, and she is the tour leader in aces. Yet until this match she was considered an underachiever at majors; she was previously the only player in the Top 20 not to have reached a Slam quarterfinal.
Williams, at 36 the oldest woman in the draw, reached the quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows in 2015 (losing to her sister Serena) after a five-year drought here, in which she didn’t advance beyond the third round.
A tight match between Williams and Pliskova was not unexpected. They had met just once before, in 2015, and though Venus won in straight sets, it was an exceedingly close match: 7-5, 7-6.
THE QUESTION: This is the farthest Pliskova has made it in a major; can she keep it going and reach her first semifinal?
How sweet it is: Serena scores record-breaking win.
WHAT HAPPENED: Top seed Serena Williams penned her name on yet another page in the history books Monday, claiming her record-breaking 308th career Grand Slam win with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Yaroslava Shvedova to reach the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive year.
The win surpasses Roger Federer’s all-time record of 307 wins at a major, and it appears she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. So far this tournament, no player has been able to put even a scratch on Williams’ armor, as she remains unbroken on serve and has yet to drop a set through four rounds of play. And the one break point she has faced against Johanna Larsson in the third round was quickly erased.
Fighting for her first US Open quarterfinal, Shvedova produced a solid performance against the World No. 1, but in the end, she was no match for Williams’ unforgiving brand of tennis. Williams finished the match with 27 winners to Shvedova’s 10. The American’s 12th ace of the match set up match point at 5-3, and a netted backhand return off the racquet of Shvedova handed Williams the match.
WHAT IT MEANS: Win No. 308 also puts Williams on track for another record-breaking feat, as a title here would not only vault her past Steffi Graf with 23 Grand Slam titles, but it would also make her the most accomplished US Open champ with seven crowns. But first, she must get past No. 5 seed Simona Halep, who is playing just as solid so far this fortnight. On paper, Williams has a commanding 7-1 head-to-head lead against the Romanian.
This is the ninth consecutive time Williams has reached the quarterfinals or better in Flushing Meadows. The last time she fell short was in 2006, when she fell to Amelie Mauresmo in the Round of 16.
Shvedova leaves New York still having not passed the fourth round here in her career. She has, however, reached the quarterfinals three times: twice at Roland Garros (2010, 2012) and once at Wimbledon (2016).
THE QUESTION: How far do you think Williams can extend her Grand Slam win streak?
WHAT HAPPENED: Top seed Serena Williams penned her name on yet another page in the history books Monday, claiming her record-breaking 308th career Grand Slam win with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Yaroslava Shvedova to reach the quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive year.
The win surpasses Roger Federer’s all-time record of 307 wins at a major, and it appears she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. So far this tournament, no player has been able to put even a scratch on Williams’ armor, as she remains unbroken on serve and has yet to drop a set through four rounds of play. And the one break point she has faced against Johanna Larsson in the third round was quickly erased.
Fighting for her first US Open quarterfinal, Shvedova produced a solid performance against the World No. 1, but in the end, she was no match for Williams’ unforgiving brand of tennis. Williams finished the match with 27 winners to Shvedova’s 10. The American’s 12th ace of the match set up match point at 5-3, and a netted backhand return off the racquet of Shvedova handed Williams the match.
WHAT IT MEANS: Win No. 308 also puts Williams on track for another record-breaking feat, as a title here would not only vault her past Steffi Graf with 23 Grand Slam titles, but it would also make her the most accomplished US Open champ with seven crowns. But first, she must get past No. 5 seed Simona Halep, who is playing just as solid so far this fortnight. On paper, Williams has a commanding 7-1 head-to-head lead against the Romanian.
This is the ninth consecutive time Williams has reached the quarterfinals or better in Flushing Meadows. The last time she fell short was in 2006, when she fell to Amelie Mauresmo in the Round of 16.
Shvedova leaves New York still having not passed the fourth round here in her career. She has, however, reached the quarterfinals three times: twice at Roland Garros (2010, 2012) and once at Wimbledon (2016).
THE QUESTION: How far do you think Williams can extend her Grand Slam win streak?
Ana Konjuh loves New York.
The youngest player remaining in the US Open singles draws loves to shop on 5th Avenue, eat at Applebee’s and Dave & Busters and walk around Times Square while she’s in New York.
Ana Konjuh likes playing at the US Open, too.
“I like the city. I like New York, the energy. There’s always something to do so I’m not in the hotel all the time like usually I am at the tournaments,” she said. “And I love the tournament. It’s really great to be here.”
The giggly 18-year-old from Croatia has had plenty to love at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this week. On Saturday afternoon, she reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time by beating American Varvara Lepchenko. Konjuh had reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2014.
“I’m really happy,” she said.
Konjuh was a junior star, the 2013 US Open and Australian Open junior champion – at 15, no less – and world junior No. 1. That promise, coupled with her first tour title, in Nottingham as a 17-year-old, made Konjuh seem like a lock for second-week runs at Grand Slam tournaments. But the Dubrovnik native hadn’t reached past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament this season until Saturday.
“My season wasn’t the best one so far," she said. "At the end I’m kind of getting all the things that I haven’t done in the first part of the year.”
Earlier this season, the former world junior No. 1 struggled with a back injury and, at Wimbledon, she rolled her right ankle after stepping on a ball near the net while playing Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.
In the fourth round on Monday, Konjuh will get a rematch with Radwanska, the No. 4 seed here. The teenager with a big forehand and serve had three match points before hurting her ankle at 7-7 in the third set. She hobbled around the court before falling, 6-2, 4-6, 9-7.
“I remember I had three match points, and all three were on my forehand, and I missed all three forehands,” Konjuh said. “So I’m really hoping if I get the opportunity, I’m going to take it.”
After the match, her coach showed her the video of her stepping on the ball that made the rounds on social media. “I didn’t know what [had] happened to my ankle, and I saw the video, and I was like, ‘Oh, if I get back on the court it will be good,’” Konjuh said.
She returned after a missing a month because of rehab on her ankle. During her rematch with Radwanska, Konjuh said she hopes to take advantage of all of her big opportunities. She’ll also be extra careful around the court.
“She is really a great player. She is defensive. I think that I just have to play my game.” Konjuh said. “I’m hoping there’s not another accident.”
Then the first-time fourth-rounder laughed at herself.
The youngest player remaining in the US Open singles draws loves to shop on 5th Avenue, eat at Applebee’s and Dave & Busters and walk around Times Square while she’s in New York.
Ana Konjuh likes playing at the US Open, too.
“I like the city. I like New York, the energy. There’s always something to do so I’m not in the hotel all the time like usually I am at the tournaments,” she said. “And I love the tournament. It’s really great to be here.”
The giggly 18-year-old from Croatia has had plenty to love at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this week. On Saturday afternoon, she reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time by beating American Varvara Lepchenko. Konjuh had reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2014.
“I’m really happy,” she said.
Konjuh was a junior star, the 2013 US Open and Australian Open junior champion – at 15, no less – and world junior No. 1. That promise, coupled with her first tour title, in Nottingham as a 17-year-old, made Konjuh seem like a lock for second-week runs at Grand Slam tournaments. But the Dubrovnik native hadn’t reached past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament this season until Saturday.
“My season wasn’t the best one so far," she said. "At the end I’m kind of getting all the things that I haven’t done in the first part of the year.”
Earlier this season, the former world junior No. 1 struggled with a back injury and, at Wimbledon, she rolled her right ankle after stepping on a ball near the net while playing Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.
In the fourth round on Monday, Konjuh will get a rematch with Radwanska, the No. 4 seed here. The teenager with a big forehand and serve had three match points before hurting her ankle at 7-7 in the third set. She hobbled around the court before falling, 6-2, 4-6, 9-7.
“I remember I had three match points, and all three were on my forehand, and I missed all three forehands,” Konjuh said. “So I’m really hoping if I get the opportunity, I’m going to take it.”
After the match, her coach showed her the video of her stepping on the ball that made the rounds on social media. “I didn’t know what [had] happened to my ankle, and I saw the video, and I was like, ‘Oh, if I get back on the court it will be good,’” Konjuh said.
She returned after a missing a month because of rehab on her ankle. During her rematch with Radwanska, Konjuh said she hopes to take advantage of all of her big opportunities. She’ll also be extra careful around the court.
“She is really a great player. She is defensive. I think that I just have to play my game.” Konjuh said. “I’m hoping there’s not another accident.”
Then the first-time fourth-rounder laughed at herself.
This is how you notch a record-setting 308th win at a major.
Andy is on to the Quarters winning in straight sets over Dimitrov.....6-1...6-2...6-2
The 18 year Croatian cutie pulls the major upset over #4 Radwanska.....6-4...6-4
