Mum Victoria makes US Open semis
Serena, the other Mum, too into US semis
New York, Sept. 10: Serena Williams battled into a US Open semifinal showdown with Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday as top men’s seeds Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev booked their spots in the last four.
Serena, seeded third, came from a set down to overcome unseeded Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova and keep alive her bid for a 24th singles Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
Later, Azarenka blew away Belgium’s Elise Mertens as she continues her hunt for a first Grand Slam title in seven years.
Serena’s comeback included two astonishing shots with her left hand that contributed to winning points. A sluggish start saw the American lose the first 6-4, but she fought back to take the next two 6-3, 6-2, in 2hr
12min inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Serena is looking to match Margaret Court’s record for the most number of singles Grand Slam wins. In the last four she will renew her rivalry with Azarenka who demolished Mertens 6-1, 6
0 in just 1 hour and 13 minutes.
Serena had defeated Azarenka in the final of the US Open in 2012 and
2013. Both are coming back on the circuit post motherhood.
In the men’s draw, Russia’s third seed Medvedev downed compatriot and childhood friend Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8/6), 6
3, 7-6 (7/5). Rublev raced to a 5-1 lead in the first-set tie-break before Medvedev, last year’s US Open runner-up, hauled back to win it 8-6 with an ace. Medvedev will play second seed Thiem who demolished Alex de Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. —