Tennis: Djokovic honors Kobe Bryant after US Open win

NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic paid tribute to late basketball star Kobe Bryant after he won his record-equaling 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open on Sunday, wearing a "Mamba Forever" shirt during the trophy presentation.

Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to clinch his fourth US Open crown and gain revenge for his loss to the Russian two years ago which shattered his dreams of a calendar Grand Slam.

Afterwards Djokovic revealed a t-shirt with an image of him alongside Bryant -- the ferociously competitive basketball great whose nickname was "Black Mamba". On the back was 24, the number worn by the Los Angeles Lakers icon during his NBA career.

Djokovic said Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash three years ago, had helped him through some of the most challenging times of his career -- notably a career-threatening elbow injury in 2017.

"I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago," said Djokovic.

"I didn't share it with anybody. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner's mentality.

"When I was struggling with injury and trying to work my way back to the top he was one of the people I relied on the most he was always there for support in the most friendly way.

"His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him."

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win US Open crown

NEW YORK -- American teenager Coco Gauff came from behind to win the US Open on Saturday, clinching her first Grand Slam title with a battling win over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

Gauff, 19, produced a gutsy performance on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in 2hr 6min to complete a fairytale transformation in her season's fortunes.

The sixth seed from Florida had gone into the final as the underdog against the hard-hitting second seed Sabalenka, who will become world number one in next week's rankings.

But with both players making a slew of mistakes throughout an error-strewn final watched by a star-studded record crowd of 28,143 it was Gauff who held her nerve when it mattered to seal a deserved victory.

The win completed a remarkable turnaround for Gauff, who was left distraught after a first round exit at Wimbledon in July.

However she bounced back to win titles in Washington and Cincinnati and has now landed the biggest win of her career, after a shattering loss in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open last year.

"It means so much to me," an elated Gauff said afterwards. "I feel like I'm a little bit in shock in this moment.

"That French Open loss (last year) was a heartbreak for me. This makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine."

Gauff, the third American teenager to win the US Open after Tracy Austin and Serena Williams, also used her victory speech to thank those who doubted her talent.

"Honestly thank you to the people who didn't believe in me," she joked.

"To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, they were putting gas on my fire and I'm burning so bright right now."

Sabalenka meanwhile blamed self-inflicted errors for her defeat, saying at times she was playing "me against me."

"She was moving just unbelievable today," Sabalenka said of Gauff. "But then the second set I start probably overthinking, and because of that I start kind of like losing my power.

"Then she start moving better. I start missing a lot of easy shots."

- First set struggle -

Gauff was in trouble in the opening game, Sabalenka breaking her straight away with a rasping backhand that drew a roar of "Come On!" from the Belarusian.

She held easily to take a 2-0 lead but Gauff then took advantage of a shaky service game from Sabalenka to break at 2-2 in the fourth.

The Belarusian double-faulted twice to allow Gauff to get back on level terms.

But that hard-won parity was surrendered in the next game as Sabalenka broke back to go 3-2 ahead.

Australian Open champion Sabalenka then wobbled on her own serve once more as Gauff eked out two break points in the sixth game.

But Sabalenka got it back to deuce with an ace and then took a 4-2 lead with an emphatic smash.

Gauff's problems on serve continued and Sabalenka broke for the third time to race 5-2 ahead, and she duly wrapped up the set by holding in the next game.

Yet with the match threatening to become a rout, Gauff finally clicked into gear in the second set, making fewer unforced errors and ironing out the kinks in her serve.

Instead it was Sabalenka who began to show signs of brittleness as the tension mounted. She double-faulted to hand Gauff the only break of the set and a 3-1 lead.

Gauff fended off a break point in the next game to hold for 4-1 and went on to hold for the remainder of the set to level the match when Sabalenka smacked a forehand long.

The momentum remained firmly with Gauff in the final set and she secured another crucial break in the opening game when she put away an underhit Sabalenka lob with a smash.

Gauff then held easily for a 2-0 lead as Sabalenka struggled to regain any semblance of composure.

She coughed up four unforced errors to gift Gauff a break and a 3-0 lead, and the American then held with ease to go 4-0 up.

Sabalenka stopped the rot by holding serve in the fifth game, before taking a medical timeout to receive treatment on her left thigh.

Gauff was in no mood to let her grip on the match slip though.

Although Sabalenka held and broke Gauff to cut the lead to 4-2, Gauff hit back when Sabalenka double-faulted to present a break point.

Gauff cashed in to break and grab a 5-2 lead and then swept to victory in the next game, holding to love with a backhand winner.

Agence France-Presse

Alcaraz defeats Zverev to reach US Open semi-finals

NEW YORK -- Top seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets on Wednesday to cruise into the US Open semi-finals and keep his title defense on track.

The Spaniard will play third seed Daniil Medvedev on Friday for a place in the final after sweeping Zverev aside, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, in another clinical performance.

Alcaraz was not at his spectacular best but dominated at critical moments with Zverev perhaps feeling the effects of a 4hr 41min outing in the last 16 in the tournament's longest match so far.

The world number one converted all four of his break points, while Zverev failed to take any of his five chances.

"I'm feeling really comfortable playing on this court, playing in New York," said Alcaraz, who has dropped just one set en route to the last four.

"I'm feeling strong. I think I'm ready for a great battle against Medvedev."

The 20-year-old Alcaraz is now 24-1 in his last four Grand Slams going back to the start of last year's US Open. His only loss in that time came to Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals.

Zverev sensed an opportunity when he twice brought up break point in the seventh game, but Alcaraz held firm and then rubbed salt in the wound by smashing a volley at the net to dart 5-3 ahead.

A comfortable service game earned Alcaraz the set and he didn't wait long till to hammer home his advantage, whipping a crunching backhand to break for a 2-1 lead in the second set.

The top seed punished a Zverev double fault by breaking once more for 5-2, cemented with a one-two combination of blistering forehands.

Alcaraz snuffed out a break point in the second game of the third set, thwarting Zverev twice more two games later -- continuing the theme of raising his game throughout when it mattered most.

He needed no second invitation when another opening presented itself on Zverev's serve at 4-all, slashing a wicked forehand to close in on victory before serving it out for a spot in the semi-finals.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Swiatek upset by Ostapenko at US Open as Djokovic cruises

NEW YORK -- Defending champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the US Open on Sunday after defeat by Jelena Ostapenko and will lose her number one ranking, while Novak Djokovic marched into the quarter-finals.

Swiatek grabbed the opening set against Ostapenko but the unpredictable Latvian stormed back to win, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and secure her fourth victory in as many meetings with the Polish star.

The mercurial Ostapenko, who had never made it to the last 16 in New York before this week, goes on to face title contender and home favorite Coco Gauff in the last eight after blasting Swiatek out of the tournament.

"She plays well against me, she's always done that," said Swiatek. "I'm just surprised that my level changed so drastically. I don't really know what happened with my game, I felt no control suddenly."

Undeterred by falling behind, Ostapenko's typically fearless and aggressive approach rendered Swiatek helpless and ensures there will be a new world number one after the US Open.

Swiatek's 75-week reign will come to an end, with rival Aryna Sabalenka set to take over top spot.

"I always expect a tough battle against Iga, she's such a great player and won many Slams and is so consistent," said Ostapenko, the 20th seed and 2017 French Open champion.

"I knew I had to be aggressive and play my game because that's what she doesn't like.

"I was just thinking that I have to play until the very last point, until we shake hands. I felt like I was playing better and didn't give her many chances."

Gauff ended Caroline Wozniacki's fairytale Grand Slam comeback earlier Sunday as the sixth seed saw off the former world No. 1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

The 19-year-old registered her 15th win in 16 matches, a run including titles in Washington and Cincinnati last month.

Gauff sparked into life after dropping the opening two games to pocket the opening set, but Wozniacki -- playing her first Grand Slam in over three years -- wound back the clock to level the match.

Two-time US Open runner-up Wozniacki, 33, broke to start the deciding set, triggering a ferocious response from Gauff who swept the final six games to close out a gutsy victory.

Wozniacki, who made her tour debut when Gauff was only one, retired after the 2020 Australian Open to start a family, giving birth to two children.

She was trying to emulate Kim Clijsters, who beat the Dane in the 2009 US Open final on her own return to Grand Slam tennis from maternity leave.

Djokovic sails as Americans progress 

Djokovic swept into his 13th US Open quarter-final, cruising past 105th-ranked Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4, to advance to a showdown with American No. 1 Taylor Fritz.

After recovering from two sets down in the previous round, Djokovic dictated from the outset against 25-year-old outsider Gojo who had won just one Grand Slam match prior to this week.

Djokovic broke twice in the first set, the 23-time Grand Slam winner shaking off an early wobble in the second and procuring another break in the third to polish off Gojo without the drama of his preceding five-set victory over Laslo Djere.

The 36-year-old Serbian star will on Tuesday look to continue his dominance of Fritz, a player he's beaten in all seven past meetings including a one-sided affair in Cincinnati last month.

"He's been playing some terrific tennis particularly on home soil here in the States," Djokovic said of Fritz, the only man yet to drop a set so far.

"Obviously the matches are going to get tougher from here onwards and I'm ready. It's going to be great."

Fritz became the third American man to reach the quarter-finals Sunday after a straight-sets win over Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker.

The ninth seed knocked out world No. 128 Stricker, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-4, to match his mother Kathy May's run to the 1978 US Open quarter-finals.

He joins compatriots Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in the next round. It is the first time the US has had three men's quarter-finalists in New York since 2005.

Tiafoe, seeded 10th, advanced to an all-American quarter-final against 47th-ranked Shelton after defeating Australia's Rinky Hijikata, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.

The 25-year-old Tiafoe reached the semi-finals of the US Open last year where he lost in five sets to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Meanwhile, Shelton, 20, took down 14th-seeded compatriot Tommy Paul in four sets to reach his second Grand Slam quarter-final of the year.

He avenged his loss to Paul in the last eight of the Australian Open, winning 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to become the youngest American man to reach the US Open quarters since Andy Roddick in 2002.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Alcaraz, Medvedev advance; Jabeur wins US Open thriller

NEW YORK -- World number one Carlos Alcaraz surged into the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday as Tunisia's Ons Jabeur kept her dream of a first Grand Slam title alive with victory in a three-set thriller.

Alcaraz, looking to become the first man to successfully defend the title since Roger Federer in 2008, produced a flurry of magical shots en route to dispatching British 26th seed Dan Evans 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

It was another stylish victory for the 20-year-old Spaniard, who will face Italy's Matteo Arnaldi in the fourth round on Monday.

The Spaniard kept Evans on the back foot with his booming forehand while delighting the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd with several of his signature forehand drop shots.

Alcaraz also conjured one of the shots of the tournament to clinch a decisive break in the fourth set, curling a logic-defying forehand up the line past Evans for a 4-2 lead.

Alcaraz, who will surrender his world number one ranking to Novak Djokovic at the end of this tournament, admitted he was motivated by matching Federer in defending his crown.

"Obviously defending the title is a goal for me," he said. "I'm looking for that. Nobody's done it here since Roger so I'd love to be part of tournament history with him."

Alcaraz's win keeps him on track for a repeat quarter-final against Italy's Jannik Sinner, a year after the two men dueled in an epic five-hour five-setter that finished at 2.50am, the latest finish in US Open history.

Sixth seed Sinner did his part to keep the rematch on course Saturday with a stylish 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka.

Alcaraz's last-16 opponent Arnaldi, meanwhile, advanced after upsetting 16th-seeded Briton Cameron Norrie, winning 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in just under two hours.

Arnaldi, 22, had never played in the main draw of a Grand Slam before this season, with a brief run to the second round at Roland Garros his best performance in a major championship.

There was better luck for another member of Britain's US Open contingent elsewhere though, with Jack Draper reaching the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time with a 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over American world No.89 Michael Mmoh.

Draper will face eighth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Rublev, a quarter-finalist at last year's tournament, defeated France's Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 to advance.

Meanwhile Russia's 2021 US Open champion and third seed Daniil Medvedev made it safely into the last 16 in a late-night 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) victory over Argentina's Sebastian Baez.

- Jabeur digs deep -

Arguably the game of day six came in the women's draw, where popular Tunsian fifth seed Jabeur overcame a courageous display by injured opponent Marie Bouzkova to advance.

Czech No.31 seed Bouzkova started strongly to win the opening set against Jabeur, who has been laid low by flu since the start of the championships.

But the game changed midway through the second set when Bouzkova suffered what appeared to be a thigh injury, severely hampering her mobility thereafter.

Despite grimacing and wincing in pain, she somehow managed to keep on playing as Jabeur dug deep to complete a 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in 2hr 56min on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

"This is a tough sport. You always don't want to give up. I really respect her for that," Jabeur said.

Jabeur, who faces China's Zheng Qinwen in the last 16 on Monday, is chasing a first Grand Slam title after suffering agonizing defeats in three major championship finals in the past two seasons.

Elsewhere Saturday, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka maintained her dominant start to the tournament with a 60-minute demolition of France's Clara Burel, winning 6-1, 6-1.

The Belarusian right-hander will play Russia's 13th seed Daria Kasatkina on Monday in the last 16. Kasatkina booked her place in the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgium's Greet Minnen.

Meanwhile 17th seed Madison Keys became the second American woman into the last 16 after Coco Gauff with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win over Russian 14th seed Liudmila Samsonova.

Keys will play compatriot and third seed Jessica Pegula in the last 16.

Pegula outfought Ukraine's 26th-ranked Elina Svitolina 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the fourth round.

Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova wasted no time in sweeping into the last 16, taking just 56 minutes to dismantle Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2, 6-1. Vondrousova plays US youngster Peyton Stearns in the next round.

China's Zheng meanwhile matched her best result at a Grand Slam -- a fourth round appearance at last year's French Open -- by rallying to beat Italy's Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Agence France-Presse

US Open: Sabalenka into second successive semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka reached the US Open semi-finals for a second successive year on Wednesday with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) win over Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.

The 24-year-old from Belarus will face either world No. 1 and French Open champion Iga Swiatek or Jessica Pegula of the United States for a place in Saturday's final.

World No. 6 Sabalenka, also a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2021, fired seven aces and a total of 30 winners past Pliskova, the 2016 runner-up in New York, without facing a break point.

"I expected a great level with long rallies. I wanted to stay in the match and make her work," said Sabalenka.

The Belarusian has lost three times to Swiatek in 2022 without winning a set while holding a 3-1 career advantage over Pegula.

"They are both tough opponents. I will have to fight and do my best. I'm ready for a great battle," she added.

Sabalenka is making the most of her great escape in the second round in New York when she saved two match points against Kaia Kanepi having been a set and 1-5 down.

On Wednesday, she raced through the first set in just 28 minutes on the back of three service breaks.

The 30-year-old Pliskova managed just a single winner in the opener while serving up five double faults.

Czech world No. 22 Pliskova saved two break points in the eighth game of the second set but was unable to halt Sabalenka's drive to the last four.

Swiatek is the first Polish woman to reach the last-eight in New York in the modern era and is the only player left who knows what it's like to win a major title.

The Pole has defeated Pegula twice in 2022 in her title-winning runs at Miami and Roland Garros.

Swiatek also boasts a season-leading 54 match wins this year, a stretch which has yielded six trophies.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Serena Williams battles on as US Open farewell underway

NEW YORK --Serena Williams delayed her farewell to tennis on an electrifying opening night at the US Open on Monday as the sporting icon battled to victory in front of a star-studded crowd.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner -- who earlier this month signalled she plans to retire from tennis after the tournament -- drew on all of her experience to down lowly ranked Montenegrin opponent Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3.

A galaxy of celebrities ranging from Hollywood stars, fashion icons and former presidents were out in force at Flushing Meadows' Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch could have been Williams final appearance in a Grand Slam singles match.

But the 40-year-old ensured that her legions of fans will have at least one more chance to savor her talents as she dug out victory despite an error-strewn display.

"I feel so comfortable on this court and in front of everyone here," a jubilant Williams said after her victory.

"The crowd was crazy – they really helped pull me through. I was really pumped," added Williams, who won the first of her Grand Slam titles in the same arena in 1999 as a 17-year-old prodigy.

Williams admitted that deciding to walk away from the sport after 27 years as a professional was "such a hard decision."

"I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away," she said. "I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game.

"But I was just like 'Alright, I think now's the time'. I have a family, there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution."

Williams later refused to be definitive about her retirement however when asked if the US Open would be her last tournament, teasing the possibility that she may yet play on.

"I've been pretty vague about it, right?" she said. "I'm going to stay vague because you never know."

A sell-out crowd of 23,500 had roared its appreciation for Williams as she strode into the arena wearing a striking sparkling bodice and black skirt comprised of six layers -- one for every US Open title she has won.

The roll-call of A-listers on hand for the occasion included former US President Bill Clinton, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, tennis legend and Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman and Queen Latifah.

Williams acknowledged that leaving the spotlight -- whenever that is -- would be a wrench.

"The more tournaments I play, I feel like the more I can belong out there," she said. "That's a tough feeling to have, to leave knowing the more you do it, the more you can shine."

- Tsitsipas stunned -

In other women's draw action on Monday, former world number one Simona Halep, seeded seventh, was the biggest casualty in the first round, crashing out 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur.

But there were no such problems for US teenager and 12th seed Coco Gauff, who cruised past France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-3.

Meanwhile the men's draw got under way with a stunning upset for Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was bundled out by Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Earlier, Russia's defending champion Daniil Medvedev routed Stefan Koslov of the United States in the top half of the draw.

The Russian comfortably dispatched world No.111 Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in 2hrs 1min.

Medvedev, bidding to become the first man to defend the US crown since Roger Federer retained the title in 2008, faces France's Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.

Britain's Andy Murray, another veteran well into the twilight of his career, marked the 10th anniversary of his maiden Grand Slam win with a straight sets defeat of Argentinian 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo.

The 35-year-old Scot showed no signs of recent cramping problems in a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win, but admitted afterwards: "It felt like five sets."

It was Murray's first straight sets win at a Grand Slam event since 2017.

Elsewhere Monday, Wu Yibing claimed a piece of history in the men's draw, becoming the first man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match since 1959.

The qualifier upset Georgia's 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

But there was agony for China's other player in the men's draw, Zhang Zhizhen who squandered seven match points in a 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (11/9), 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Tim Van Rijthoven of the Netherlands.

Spain's Rafael Nadal, chasing a fifth US Open crown and 23rd Grand Slam title overall, begins his campaign on Tuesday against Australia's Rinky Hijikata.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis : Queen leads explosion of British joy at Raducanu's stunning Slam win

LONDON -- Emma Raducanu's extraordinary US Open triumph on Saturday led to an explosion of joy in Britain, with Queen Elizabeth II leading the celebrations as the 18-year-old qualifier made tennis history in New York.

Raducanu beat 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 to become Britain's first women's Grand Slam singles champion since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977, and the first player to win a major after coming through a qualifying tournament.

"I send my congratulations to you on your success," the Queen said. "It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication."

Raducanu's win even managed to knock football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo's two-goal return to Manchester United off Sunday morning's UK newspaper front pages.

The Express called it "Absolutely Emm-ense!" while the Telegraph proclaimed: "She did it!"

Social media caught fire after Raducanu sealed the win with an ace.

Former England footballer Gary Lineker broke off from presenting the English Premier League highlights programme "Match of the Day" on BBC TV to post:

"First time in my life I've ever tweeted whilst on air but my goodness what a performance, what a triumph, what an amazing young woman."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "What a sensational match! Huge congratulations to Emma Raducanu. You showed extraordinary skill, poise and guts and we are all hugely proud of you."

Raducanu's only previous Slam appearance, at Wimbledon in July, ended when she pulled out of her fourth-round match after an anxiety attack.

"Look at that bounce back @EmmaRaducanu US Open champion, amazing. Congratulations," tweeted England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who had offered support to Raducanu after her Wimbledon exit.

Raducanu was born in Canada to a Chinese mother and Romanian father, but grew up in Bromley in suburban south London after moving to England at the age of two.

- 'It's mind boggling' -

At her former tennis club, Parklangley, members gathered in front of TVs Saturday night to roar her to victory.

"I'm speechless. I'm sore and hoarse from screaming," said her former coach Suzanne Williams.

Former British number one Tim Henman, who was courtside, said: "She will win more of these, she is that good. This is not some flash in the pan or fairytale. She is playing top-five tennis."

Australian Grand Slam winner Pat Cash told BBC radio that a qualifier winning a major is "something I never could have believed would happen. It's mind boggling."

And tennis great Martina Navratilova tweeted: "A star is born -- Emma Raducanu makes history... and she is just getting started. And will never have to qualify again:)"

In China, where the match took place in the early hours of Sunday, Tencent published an article with pictures of Raducanu visiting China as a child.

"An ethnic Chinese won the US Open" it trumpeted. "She claimed that her motivation (or power) comes from her Chinese mother!"

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Superstitions keep Fernandez's coach dad from US Open

Jorge Fernandez won't attend his daughter Leylah's all-teen US Open final showdown Saturday with Britain's Emma Raducanu over fears about messing with routines that are working.

Fernandez, a former footballer from Ecuador who became a tennis coach for his daughter, will watch from home in Florida as he has for two weeks when 19-year-old Fernandez meets 18-year-old qualifier Raducanu for the title.

"No, I'm not going to be there," Fernandez told US Open reporters on a conference call. "I'm extremely superstitious. My daughter is as well.

"I've been using the same shampoo on game day, kind of using the same jeans on game day, I think the same socks and underwear— it's taken to a completely different level.

"It's nothing new. You do your shoelaces a certain way. Leylah and I have always when we figured out what's working, we don't mess with it.

"It's working, so let's not ruin it."

Raducanu is the first qualifier to ever reach a Grand Slam final while Fernandez ousted three of the world's top five to reach the final.

"You're playing another warrior in front of you. I don't think the age, who it is or the ranking should even matter," Fernandez said.

"It's a finals. Let's leave it all on the table. Let's sweat it all out. Let's make sure that no matter how it finishes, there are no regrets."

He painfully recalls the last time he watched Leylah in a final.

"It was Acapulco when she made it to the finals and she lost it," Jorge Fernandez said. "I was hating myself for a good two months afterwards. I didn't really want to talk about it.

"They say, 'C'mon, it's just a game, she made it to the finals.' But inside me it's like, 'No, I shouldn't have shown up. I shouldn't have been there.'

"It's really about superstition. She knows I'm supporting her from afar. I'm in her heart and she's in mine.

"Everybody who has seen it from the stadium, fantastic. But I'm going to look at her right across the kitchen table when we're going to have dinner and we're going to be OK."

They're also in touch often, with Leylah getting calls on a schedule, the night before a match for plans, the next morning for workout needs and for the pre-match pep talk.

"It's more based on sentiments and emotions," he said. "It's almost like a virtual hug and a kiss. 'Good luck, you know what to do.' It's more of a motivating conversation. What I say is what I'm feeling in the moment, what I'm feeling from her."

It's a final boost for the mental fortitude Fernandez shows on court.

"She's just unbelievable with her mindset right now. She shows so much fight," he said. "But she is human, and she does feel those emotions."

Watching past champions 

The teen Fernandez has developed her toughness being a student of tennis.

"That poise has come from her watching a lot of tennis, watching some of the big names, the YouTube clips, watching the matches," her father said.

"She's constantly analyzing what happened. She's a great student of the game. I think that brings that poise that we see in her, able to do what she's doing because she has watched it so much.

"She's kind of acting with the same poise that past champions have done. She has learned how they recuperate and keep their poise. That's what we're seeing."

Both finalists have Asian heritage, Fernandez from the Philippines on her mother's side.

"Those two ladies are touching a lot of young girls. This can only be good for tennis," Jorge Fernandez said.

"They bring a flair that is very unique for them. I'm glad that they're touching the Asian community. That's a huge opportunity in the women's game just to be able to expand and have a new style."

He thanked a Filipino-Canadian group for their support of Leylah.

"I truly appreciate the Filipino community backing up Leylah," he said. "It's so beautiful. I'm glad that they've embraced her. I hope that relationship can only grow between her and her community."

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Crowd pleaser Leylah Fernandez rides wave of support to US Open semis

NEW YORK - After the COVID-19 pandemic left the stands empty last year, the U.S. Open has welcomed tennis-starved fans back to Flushing Meadows and Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez has ridden a wave of support all the way to the semi-finals.

Harnessing the energy generated by New York's raucous fans, Fernandez has knocked out a string of big names, including former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber.

On Tuesday it was fifth seed Elina Svitolina's turn to be sent packing by the 19-year-old's racquet, Fernandez winning a quarter-final nail biter 6-3 3-6 7-6(5) on the sport's biggest stage, Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"Thanks to you guys, to the crowd, to the New York crowd, cheering me on, fighting for me and never giving up for me," she said. "Thanks to you, I was able to push through today."

After a year without spectators, players have said crowds have seemed louder and more engaged.

While at Wimbledon you can hear a pin drop on centre court, a constant buzz provides the background soundtrack on Arthur Ashe and the crowd is never shy about expressing their feelings.

For Fernandez, tapping into the crowd is something she says she has worked hard at, yet it seems so instinctive.

The 19-year-old's natural enthusiasm combined with a fearlessness and attacking style have made her a Flushing Meadows darling.

Her fan club continues to grow, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NBA-great Magic Johnson congratulating and praising her on social media.

"Over the years I've been learning how to use the crowd's energy, how to use it to my advantage even though they're cheering against me, to use it," said Fernandez.

"From a very young age I think it's something from inside of me because from a very young age I've always wanted to be on the first court playing in front of parents.

"Even though they're not watching, I wanted to be in the first court.

"Even in school, apart from presentations in front of the class that I hated, but when I had to ... do a mini play, sing, dance, I would go out there, have fun."

Fernandez has masterfully worked the crowd in each of her matches, asking for their support, windmilling her arms and urging them to cheer when she feel she has given them something cheer about.

A clenched fist thrust into the air after a winning point has quickly become her trademark.

And Fernandez will likely need the crowd on her side more than ever on Thursday when she meets second seed Aryna Sabalenka for a spot in the final.

"Coming to New York one of my goals was to come out of my shell and be more outgoing and I have been improving every day and it shows on court," said Fernandez.

"I was very sad there was no crowd last year."

(Reporting by Steve Keating; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

-reuters-

Tennis: Djokovic resumes 18th Slam chase on US Open day five

World number one Novak Djokovic is in action on day five of the US Open Friday, when he seeks to progress to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows.

The Serbian goes up against 28th seed Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the first evening match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic is 4-0 against Struff and defeated him in four sets in round one on the way to winning the Australian Open earlier this year.

Djokovic is chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Billie Jean King US National Tennis Center.

He is looking to close the gap on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both absent from the tournament, in the race for the all-time men's Slam singles title record.

Djokovic is on 17, with Nadal on 19 and Federer on 20.

Also Friday, Naomi Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam winner, returns to the court for a third-round matchup against unseeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.

Sixth seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic is also in action, taking on 63rd-ranked American Jessica Pegula.

In the men's competition, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas plays 27th seed Borna Coric of Croatia for a spot in the fourth round.

Elsewhere, seventh-seed David Goffin from Belgium goes head-to-head with Filip Krajinovic of Serbia, who is ranked 26th.

Friday will also see the resumption of four singles matches which were postponed due to rain late Thursday.

Unseeded Frenchman Corentin Moutet leads Britain's Dan Evans, seeded 23rd, 4-6, 6-3, 6-5 in their second-round game.

While in the women's draw, Elise Mertens, seeded 16th, will resume 6-3, 1-0, ahead against Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Agence France-Presse

Coronavirus case found in US Open 'bubble'

NEW YORK - A positive test for coronavirus has been found in the New York tennis bubble where the US Open is set to take place later this month, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Tuesday.

USTA medical officer Bernard Camins revealed that the person who has contracted the virus "is not a player" and is asymptomatic.

The finding comes after 1,400 tests for the disease were conducted since August 13 in the bubble at the Billie Jean King center in New York City, where the Cincinnati ATP event and the US Open are to be staged.

Dr. Camins said the male individual initially tested negative but then a second test two days later came up positive. He added that the person's hotel roommate has also been placed under quarantine.

"It would have been nice if he was positive the first time. But the reason we added the second test at 48 hours was to account for the time we couldn't be covering," Dr. Camins said.

The US Open, which was rescheduled to start on August 31, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a host of top players pulling out of the tournament. 

Among those not taking part are men's world number two -- and last year's champion at Flushing Meadows -- Rafael Nadal and the majority of the top 10 from the WTA women's tour.

Ranked second in the world, on Monday Simona Halep became the latest star to skip the American Grand Slam, joining women's world number one Ashleigh Barty and reigning US Open champ Bianca Andreescu.

"We respect their decisions at all times. It's up to each individual player to make that decision," said USTA chief executive Mike Dowse.

"I want to remind everyone, this was not a host at all costs. It had to adhere to our three principles. We're confident it has"

However the men's draw will feature world number one Novak Djokovic and other big names like third-ranked Dominic Thiem and fellow top 10 players Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.

Agence France-Presse

Djokovic worried by 'extreme, impossible' US Open health restrictions

World number one Novak Djokovic described the strict hygiene restrictions under which the US Open is likely to be played as "extreme" and a cap on support teams as "really impossible" on Friday.

As doubts grow over whether or not the Grand Slam event can go ahead as scheduled in New York, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, Djokovic admitted the demands of organisers could create severe strain.

"Just yesterday I had a telephone conversation with the leaders of world tennis, there were talks about the continuation of the season, mostly about the US Open due in late August, but it is not known whether it will be held," the 33-year-old Serb told Prva TV television and quoted by Blic online daily.

"The rules that they told us that we would have to respect to be there, to play at all, they are extreme."

Djokovic, champion at the US Open in 2011, 2015 and 2018, described planned limits on player entourages as "really impossible".

"We would not have access to Manhattan, we would have to sleep in hotels at the airport, to be tested twice or three times per week. 

"Also, we could bring one person to the club which is really impossible. 

"I mean, you need your coach, then a fitness trainer, then a physiotherapist.

"All their suggestions are really rigorous but I can understand that due to financial reasons, due to already existing contracts, organisers (want the event to be) held. We will see what will happen."

- Nadal, Barty fears -
Djokovic was speaking a day after world number two Rafael Nadal had expressed similar reservations over the US Open, the main draw for which starts on August 31.

Nadal, who won a fourth US Open in 2019, said that if the New York showpiece was being staged this week, he would not play.

"We cannot resume until the situation is completely safe and fair in terms of health in that all players, wherever they come from, can travel and play tournaments in safe conditions," Nadal told reporters in a video conference call.

"If you told me to play the US Open today, I would say 'no'. 

"In a few months, I don't know. I hope so. We have to wait for people to return to normal life. And when it does, wait to see how the virus evolves."

The tennis tour has been in cold storage since mid-March and will not resume until late July at the earliest.

Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II, while the French Open has been shifted from May-June to September-October.

Earlier Friday, women's world number one Ashleigh Barty also voiced caution about resuming tennis too soon, saying she needed more information before committing to the US Open.

"It's exciting that tennis is being talked about again and things are moving in the right direction for us to start competing," she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"But I'd need to understand all of the information and advice from the WTA and the USTA before making a decision on the US events."

It is expected that the ATP and WTA will issue an update on the US Open and the rest of the season on Wednesday.

Even if the US Open goes ahead, it will likely be behind closed doors.

bur-dj/pb

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Clijsters determined to press on with comeback

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Kim Clijsters is looking forward to returning to the US Open even though the coronavirus pandemic means that since her second comeback from retirement she has spent more time with her family.

"I'm still motivated," the four-time Grand Slam winner told a Belgium newspaper on Sunday.

"I hope we can still play this season. But even if we don't, I intend to keep going," the Belgian tennis star, who turns 37 in June, told Het Laatse Nieuws (HLN). 

Clijsters had spells at number one before and after her first retirement, from 2007-2009. She had her daughter in 2008. She won the US Open before that break and the Australian Open and two more US titles when she came back. She retired for a second time after the US Open in 2012. She has since had two sons.

"I always felt I was fulfilled," Clijsters said in an earlier interview with the Tennis Hall of Fame. "After I had our third baby, Blake, I started travelling to tournaments. I did commentary.

"But I still felt more like a player. A little itch started."

Returning to the tour poses a challenge for a mother of three.

"I'm away a little bit, which turned out to be not so much in the last few months," she said.

She began her second comeback in February in Dubai, where she lost to Garbine Muguruza in the first round. She then lost to Johanna Konta in her opening match in Monterrey, the last tournament before the women's tour shut down at the start of March.

She was in the United States when the tournament in Indian Wells, where she planned to play singles and partner Venus Williams in the doubles, was cancelled. The family stayed at their home in New Jersey, where they don't have a tennis court and the public courts soon shut.

"We made a court with kitchen chairs," she said.

Clijsters and her husband Brian Lynch, a basketball coach, completed Andy Murray's 100 volleys couples challenge.

"In the first few weeks when you're in quarantine and all these challenges pop up...you're trying everything," she said. "After a few weeks it's 'another challenge? I'm done!'"

The family returned to Belgium and quarantined for two weeks. 

Clijsters told HLN that the break had allowed her to rest her body and allow injuries in her knees to improve. 

"If the US Open can happen, I want to be ready," she said in the Hall of Fame interview. "I would also be happy if I had to play on court 18. I don't have to be out on Arthur Ashe "

Agence France-Presse

USTA planning for US Open, mull alternatives

LOS ANGELES -- The United States Tennis Association is pressing ahead with preparations to stage the US Open in New York this year but is "aggressively" drafting alternative plans for the tournament, a spokesman said on Thursday.

With New York the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, the US Open's apparently precarious place on the sporting calendar has faced increasing speculation in recent weeks.

Multiple reports have suggested that USTA officials are mulling a possible switch of the August 31-September 13 tournament to either Indian Wells or Orlando in an effort to evade the clutches of COVID-19.

However, USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said in an email to AFP on Thursday that the organisation's sights remained firmly set on staging the Open at its regular venue and date. 

"The USTA's goal is to hold the 2020 US Open in New York on its currently scheduled dates," Widmaier said, describing planning for the tournament as "ongoing."

"We understand that there is a great deal of speculation regarding the USTA's planning for the 2020 US Open," he added. "We would like to clarify that while we are exploring every possibility around the US Open, the potential to shift the event location or date is not at the forefront at this point in time."

Widmaier added, however, that because of the "uncertain and rapidly-changing environment" caused by COVID-19, the USTA had been "aggressively modeling many other contingencies, including scenarios with no fans."

A final decision on plans for the US Open would be taken next month, in "mid-to-late June", Widmaier said.

"Paramount with all our decisions regarding the US Open will be the health and safety of all those involved, in any capacity, with the tournament," Widmaier said.

USTA officials are in constant contact with New York State and City agencies regarding coronavirus.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with the international tennis calendar, which has ground to a standstill since the crisis erupted.

The French Open at Roland Garros has already been postponed until the end of September while Wimbledon has been cancelled.

Spanish star Rafael Nadal meanwhile has questioned whether the sport will be able to return this year, describing 2020 as "practically lost" in an interview earlier this month.

The New York Times meanwhile reported on Wednesday that the USTA had not yet held any serious talks with Larry Ellison, the billionaire owner of Indian Wells Tennis Garden about possibly relocating the US Open to the California desert.

The Times reported that the other venue under possible consideration, the USTA's 100-court Orlando training center was problematic as there was no infrastructure to support fans and courts would also need to be wired for live television.

Agence France-Presse

Nadal defies inspired Medvedev in five-set epic to win US Open

NEW YORK - Rafa Nadal survived a heroic Daniil Medvedev fightback to claim an epic 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 win and a fourth U.S. Open title on Sunday, moving within one Grand Slam crown of matching Roger Federer's all-time record.

A routine end to the Flushing Meadows fortnight looked on the cards when Nadal went up two sets and a break up but it turned into a near five-hour thriller as Medvedev staged a comeback that left the Spaniard shaken and Arthur Ashe Stadium buzzing.

Not once since 1949 had a player come back from two sets down to win the U.S. Open final but the tall Russian, cheered loudly by a crowd that booed him mercilessly earlier in the week, came mighty close.

On the ropes with Medvedev looking to deliver the knockout blow, though, Nadal showed once again why he is the game's greatest fighter and he lifted himself off the canvas to scrap his way to a 19th Grand Slam title.

Nadal needed three championship points to finally kill off his 23-year-old opponent and let out a mighty roar as Medvedev's final return sailed long before falling on his back to soak up the cheers.

Already the King of Clay the Spaniard has been a master of the Flushing Meadows hardcourts this New York fortnight, dropping just three sets on way to the final.

The 33-year-old lefthander became the second oldest U.S. Open champion in the professional era behind Australian Ken Rosewall, who was 35 when he lifted the title in 1970.

While the women have served up four different Grand Slam winners this season, the old guard of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic continue to rule the men's game with the "Big Three" having combined to win the last 12 majors.

Medvedev arrived at his first Grand Slam final as the hottest player in men's tennis, riding the momentum from reaching four consecutive finals, but it was not enough to carry him to a maiden major title.

Nadal was not exactly holding a cold hand either, the Spaniard riding a 10 match win streak going 26-1 in his last five events. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Andreescu fends off Serena comeback to win US Open

NEW YORK -- Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title in a hard-hitting, nerve-jangling 6-3 7-5 win over Serena Williams on Saturday that put the brakes on the American's bid to equal the all-time record.

Andreescu matched Williams' power throughout the slugfest and kept her composure under intense pressure to fend off a late comeback from the six-times champion.

The 19-year-old dropped her racket after hitting a blistering forehand return winner on match point to seal victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium and collapsed on her back after embracing her defeated opponent.

"It's so hard to explain (what the win means) in words," Andreescu said.

"I'm just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I've worked really, really hard for this moment and I can't complain. This year has been a dream come true," she added before collecting her $3.85 million winner's cheque.

"And now to be able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing."

Andreescu, the first Canadian to win a major in the professional era, prevented Williams from equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Williams, who has been denied the milestone in four slam finals since claiming her last major title at the Australian Open in 2017, was gracious in defeat.

"Bianca played an unbelievable match," she said.

"If anyone else could win the U.S. Open -- except for Venus -- I'm glad it's Bianca," she said with a laugh, referring to her older sister who had cheered her on from the players' box, which also included Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

IMMEDIATE PRESSURE

The fearless Andreescu pressured Williams from the outset, electing to receive after winning the coin toss and immediately breaking her childhood idol.

Shouting "come on" after winning key points, Andreescu's vicious forehands kept Williams on the back foot while costly errors, including a double fault on set point in the first, put the American in an early hole.

With her back against the wall trailing 5-1 and facing championship point, Williams mounted a spirited comeback to draw level at 5-5, leading to deafening roars from the packed crowd in the biggest tennis stadium in the world.

Yet Andreescu, who covered her ears at times, regained her steely composure to cross the finish line with an emphatic forehand winner, her 19th of the match.

For Williams, her normally trusty serve proved her undoing.

She only managed to put 44 percent of her first serves in play and her nine aces were almost offset by eight double faults, three of which came on break points.

Andreescu was the sharper of the pair, committing almost half as many unforced errors as Williams and thumping down five aces of her own.

While a fierce and fiery competitor on the court, Andreescu apologised to the disappointed crowd for beating the home favourite .

"I know you guys wanted Serena to win. I'm so sorry," she said.

METEORIC RISE

While Andreescu was a virtual unknown before this year having never made it past the second-round of a Grand Slam tournament before, Saturday's breakthrough win did not register as a shock in the tennis world.

She had made her presence felt by storming to the Indian Wells title in March and after a knee injury forced her to pull out of the Miami and Rome tournaments earlier this year after just one match, she won the Rogers Cup in Toronto last month.

She came into Flushing Meadows seeded 15th and many thought her bruising groundstrokes, creative shotmaking and speedy defence would give any opponent trouble.

That has proved especially true for the world's best players, who she seems to reserve her best tennis for.

With her win over world number eight Williams she improved to 8-0 this year against top 10 opponents.

After ending last year ranked 178 in the world, she will reach a career high of number five on Monday.

Asked if she planned to be greedy in her pursuit of more Grand Slam glory, she said: "I think so.

"I love this feeling too much."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Nadal seeks 19th Slam title against Medvedev at US Open

NEW YORK – Rafael Nadal will play for his 19th Grand Slam title, one shy of Roger Federer's all-time men's record, after battling past Italy's Matteo Berrettini on Friday and into his fifth US Open final.

The 33-year-old Spaniard dispatched Berrettini 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach a Sunday showdown against Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, who ousted Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-3.

"Very happy to be back into the final of the US Open," Nadal said. "It means a lot to be back where I am today after some tough moments at the beginning of the season."

Nadal, who shook off an early season right hip injury to win a 12th French Open title, seeks his fourth US Open crown -- one short of the Open-era record of five shared by Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors -- to reach the brink of Federer's mark.

"It's just another chance on Sunday," Nadal said. "I want to enjoy a day off, have a good practice and Sunday is the day to play my best."

Nadal, into his 27th Grand Slam final, beat Medvedev in last month's Montreal final in their only prior meeting. But the world number two skipped Cincinnati, where Medvedev was champion the following week.

"He's one of the more solid players on tour," Nadal said of Medvedev. "He's making steps forward every single week.

"I need to be playing at my best."

Medvedev, in his first Grand Slam final at 23, has gone 20-2 in the past six weeks with runner-up efforts in Washington and Canada, a title in Cincinnati and a breakthrough US Open run.

"I'm just happy to be in the final," Medvedev said. "When I was going to USA, I didn't know it was going to be this good. So I have to say I love USA."

Medvedev is the first Russian in a men's Grand Slam final since Marat Safin won the 2005 Australian Open title and the first Russian to reach the US Open final since Safin won the 2000 crown.

Nadal has dropped only one set at the Open but was severely tested by 24th seed Berrettini, the first Italian man in the US Open semi-finals since Corrado Barazzutti in 1977.

Berrettini denied Nadal on six break points in the first set, jumped ahead 4-0 in the tie-break and seized two set points at 6-4 as the Ashe crowd roared with delight.

"Winning the first set would have been big," Berrettini said. "It's tough to go a set down with him after more than an hour. I was playing really good."

But the Italian netted two backhand volleys, a baseline backhand and then hit a forehand long to hand Nadal the set.

"I was lucky to win that first set," Nadal said. "First set had been a little bit frustrating. You don't want to be in a tie-breaker against a player like Matteo after you have missed all those opportunities."

Nadal, who never faced a break point, took his first break for a 4-3 lead in the second set, held twice to take the set, then rolled to victory in two hours, 35 minutes.

"I survived at the moment and finally I had the break in the second set and the match changed," Nadal said. "I played calm more and super aggressive."

MEDVEDEV DRAWS CHEERS

US Open fans gave solid applause to Medvedev after earlier-round boos for flashing an obscene gesture and taunts saying he thrived on their jeers for energy to win.

He later apologized.

Medvedev took the first-set tie-break after Dimitrov netted a forehand and sent another long on the last two points.

"The confidence means a lot in this case because I do think he was [the] better player in first set. I do think I was kind of lucky to win it," Medvedev said. "Then the momentum changed completely."

Dimitrov netted a backhand to surrender a break and the second set in the 10th game. Medvedev broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set and held to the finish.

"There's something strong that makes me win these crazy sets and crazy matches, which maybe two months ago I would have lost," said Medvedev.

Dimitrov, ranked 78th, would have been the lowest-rated US Open men's finalist since the rankings began in 1973.

"Good match overall. I think it was just a few points here and there," Dimitrov said. "It was a good level."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Williams dismantles Svitolina to reach US Open final

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 US Open final.

Since returning to action after the birth of her first child, Williams has come agonizingly 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.

"To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy," said Williams. "But I don't really expect too much less.

"I've had so many chances to pass it (Court).

"If you look at the span of the career, the players I've played, it's amazing that I was able to get this many."

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.

"There's lots of power behind her shots all the time.

"On the important moments she always steps up, always brings her best game."

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.

That was followed by routine wins over Karolina Muchova, Petra Martic and Cat McNally before blasting her way into the last four with a jaw-dropping 44-minute 6-1 6-0 rout of China's Wang Qiang. But as cold-blooded as those performances were, Williams' 70-minute dismantling of Svitolina in front of a packed house said more by delivering an emphatic message she would not be content leaving Flushing Meadows without a share of Court's record.

The match had looked to be a long and competitive affair when Svitolina forced Williams to fight off three break points to hold her opening serve.

Williams, however, was ready for the challenge, breaking Svitolina at the first opportunity by firing a winner down the line the Ukrainian could only look at.

That was the only break of a grinding first set but all Williams would need for a 1-0 lead.

It was not a good omen for Svitolina with Williams holding a 94-1 record when winning the first set at the U.S. Open.

Svitolina would hold serve to open the second but Williams then swept through the next six games to advance to her 33rd Grand Slam final.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Bencic bounds into first-ever Grand Slam semifinal

Belinda Bencic reached her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final on Wednesday, fending off Donna Vekic to win 7-6(5) 6-3 in their US Open last-eight clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The pair appeared evenly matched through most of the first set, as Switzerland's Bencic struggled for consistency on serve, firing off five aces but committing four double faults.

The 13th seed took command of the match in the second set, committing just four unforced errors compared to 17 in the first.

Croatian Vekic fired 28 winners during the match but failed to save critical break points against her, as an elated Bencic reached a new milestone in an injury-plagued career.

"Sometimes you all take it a little bit for granted," said the 22-year-old, who stunned world number one and defending champion Naomi Osaka earlier in the week. "When you can’t play you miss it so much.

"For me it’s a perspective change and I am enjoying playing tennis so much now."

Bencic next plays either Canada's Bianca Andreescu or Belgium's Elise Mertens, who face off under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium later on Wednesday.

"For sure Andreescu has a lot of variation in her game. Mertens is more like a wall-type of game. She's a great counter-puncher," said Bencic.

"Definitely I'm very curious who is going to win and adapt to the opponent in the semi-finals."

source: news.abs-cbn.com