‘Big court’ motivation helps Bencic advance

Swiss reaches first grand slam semi-final with victory over friend

Belinda Bencic defeated Donna Vekic at the US Open yesterday to reach her first grand slam semi-final.

The 22-year-old from Switzerland, who knocked out defending champion and top seed Naomi Osaka in the fourth round, won 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 against her close friend and frequent hitting partner.

She said: “I think we are professional enough to be friends off the court but do our work on the court and stay focused. I’m sure off the court we are still friends.

“I really like the challenge. Some players are maybe afraid of the big courts but for me it is more motivation. I am really enjoying my tennis.”

Croatian Vekic, seeded 23, broke for 5-4 and served for the opening set but was unable to close it out.

She saved a set point at 5-6 and two more in the tie-break, but a long forehand gave Bencic the upper hand.

Bencic, a former Eastbourne winner, had a huge slice of luck serving at 30-30 at the start of the second set when a backhand was flying wide but clipped the net cord twice before landing in.

Vekic saved two break points at 2-2 but Bencic cranked up the pressure and broke her next service game to love before reeling off the final three games and converting her third match point.

Serena Williams dropped just one game as she blew away China’s Wang Qiang 6-1 6-0.

Wang, seeded 18th, did not manage to hit a single winner as she was taken apart in her first grand slam quarterfinal.

It was the American’s 100th career victory at the US Open and at 44 minutes was the match quickest at this year’s tournament.

In the men’s singles Roger Federer suffered a shock quarter-final defeat at the hands of Grigor Dimitrov.

The 20-time grand slam winner had looked destined for a box-office final against Rafael Nadal in what would have been the great rivals’ first meeting at Flushing Meadows.

But Bulgarian Dimitrov tore up that script with a first ever win over the Swiss, who needed a medical time-out and looked out of sorts in a 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 defeat.

In the last four Dimitrov will face Daniil Medvedev, who beat Stan Wawrinka to reach his first grand slam semi.

Medvedev ran out a 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 3-6 6-1 winner.

Belinda Bencic celebrates.