[ad_1]
Medvedev fights Rublev without a set in the semifinals. He defends confidently from three set balls, but must be dealt twice in the third set.
Last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev also made it to the quarterfinals against compatriot Andrej Rublew without dropping a single set. The Russian did not have to defend against a break opportunity at 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 5), but faced three set balls in the first set tie-break. . The game against Rublew was Medvedev’s first litmus test after he had not previously beaten any top 75 opponents, and he passed with flying colors. Shortly before the end, however, he had to watch his shoulder.
If he doesn’t have a serious physical problem, Medvedev is probably the hottest contender to become the first player since Marin Cilic 2014, also at the US Open, to win his first Grand Slam tournament. In the semi-finals, the even bigger test awaits Austrian Dominic Thiem or Australian Alex de Minaur.
Serena Williams stays the course at the US Open. With a tough 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2 victory against the surprising Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, the 39-year-old will advance to the semi-finals.
During the interview at the empty Arthur Ashe Stadium, Serena Williams took a deep breath. Tsvetana Pironkova had challenged her for almost two and a quarter hours. “That shows how tough mothers are,” Williams said after the 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win in the quarterfinal between two mothers.
The Bulgarian, who played her first tournament in more than three years, got off to a better start and, after winning the opening set, she also led with a break in the second round. As a result, Williams was able to improve so often and in the end won her third straight game over the entire distance. The world’s number ninth has not lost in the semifinals in New York for 13 years (lost twice).
But there is still a long way to go to reach their destination. For Williams there is only one goal at the US Open, especially in view of the heavily decimated field: the 24th Grand Slam title, with which she would overtake record winner Margaret Court. The question is how the veteran can cope with the tensions of the last few days, because the semifinals are already on the program on Friday night. The penultimate obstacle on the way to the finish is former world number 1 Viktoria Asarenka (WTA 27) from Belarus, the third mother in the quarterfinals, or Belgian Elise Mertens (WTA 18).
[ad_2]
