The Nike-sponsored athlete has beaten Martina Navratilova’s record for the most women’s singles career Grand Slam match wins after triumphing over Sweden’s Johanna Larsson on Saturday at the U.S. Open. “So I know everything can happen and I can play really good and I can beat those guys”, Marchenko said, although he’s well aware of the arsenal of “unbelievable shots and unbelievable attacks” the immensely talented but mercurial Kyrgios can unleash.
Advertisement
World number two Andy Murray, vying to become just the fourth man to reach all four Grand Slam finals in a calendar year, was made to look ordinary through two sets by Italian journeyman Paolo Lorenzi, but pulled himself together to win 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.
With the second-round win at Flushing Meadows, Williams matched Martina Navratilova’s professional-era record of 306 Grand Slam match victories.
Serena is also just few step away from achieving another feat to reach an Open Era record of 23 Grand Slam titles – and Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.
“I think I was playing good tennis from the beginning”, she said.
That sounds like bad news for upcoming opponents, starting with 52nd-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova, who advanced to the round of 16 in NY for the first time by beating Zhang Shuai 6-2, 7-5. She was hitting very strong, so it was a good challenge for me and it was a good match.
“I’m happy with putting wins under my belt”. She always wants to play her best.
Serena’s next victory would push her past Federer’s total, likely generating more discussion about whether Williams is one of the best athletes, male or female, of all time. I don’t know; I’m not in her shoulder. Williams did, however, smack one backhand return victor in the final game.
“Obviously with her it’s tough”, Pliskova said of Williams.
The world No. 1 cruised to a second-round victory at the US Open on Thursday night, defeating fellow American Vania King in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, making quick work of yet another opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
That said, Larsson did apply a bit of pressure and almost secured the tournament’s first break against Serena when the world No. 1 was ad-out up 3-1 in the first set. “I also believe that, as a woman, we have still a lot to do and a lot to be going forward”. The 21-year-old said that his hip was troubling him from the start of the tournament.
“I feel OK”, Williams said. She disposed of Patricia Tig in round one 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and followed that up with a commanding performance against Nicole Gibbs in a easy 6-3, 7-5 win.
Advertisement
Simona Halep and Carla Suarez Navarro set up a fourth-round meeting when a shaky Halep struggled past Hungary’s Timea Babos 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, and Suarez Navarro beat Russian Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3.
