BITES FROM THE BIG APPLE

MIRJANA LUCIC-BARONI provided the biggest upset of the women’s event when she sealed a 7-6, 6-2 win over second seed Simona Halep to make the last 16 of a Slam for the first time in 15 years. The 32-year-old Croatian (right) was outstanding as a teen before fleeing her homeland for Florida to escape an abusive father. She retired for four years in her twenties and while she has never fulfilled her early potential, she is now married and enjoying her late career, at 121 in the world.

THE fading Venus Williams was knocked out in the third round by 13th seed Sara Errani after a topsy-turvy match that saw the Italian win 6-0, 0-6, 7-6.