“We need Serena Williams in tennis”. Obviously I’m excited about that.
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Serena Williams’ dominating third-round victory at the US Open was notable for a new career milestone: 307 Grand Slam wins.
As for her sister, that inflamed right shoulder that was supposed to hinder her as she seeks a record 23rd major title seems to be just fine.
After the match, Halep said she wasn’t able to move well because of a back problem. “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.
One more win will also put Konta firmly in the hunt for the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Singapore in October, something no British woman has achieved since Jo Durie in 1984. Serena moved on to the semifinals but lost her match against Robert Vinci of Italy in three sets, 6-2, 4-6 and 4-6.
There’s only one American man left: Jack Sock, who faces No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Sunday.
Only one American man is left, Jack Sock, after 19-year-old qualifier Jared Donaldson’s run ended with a straight-set loss to No. 21 Ivo Karlovic, at 37 the oldest man to reach the fourth round in NY since Jimmy Connors was 39 in 1991.
Sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori and No. 8 Dominic Thiem were among the players who had their matches halted Thursday.
The win against Larsson was Williams’ 307th career victory in Grand Slam events. Williams argued that disparities persisted between the way male and female athletes were perceived and paid.
And, if you want to hear something that should frighten Williams’ upcoming opponents next week, this is how she described her first week at the U.S. Open when asked if she could give herself a grade: “I feel OK”. A set and 4-1 to the good, the world number one was simply not content with a single-break advantage and was quick to pounce on any look at a second, which she would take at the first time of asking to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
“It’s always good”, Williams said casually, “to have Beyonce and Jay in the box”. “Hopefully, that can work out for other females, as well”.
The number of accomplishments Williams continues to accumulate are becoming so numbing it makes you wonder whether she is appreciated enough for what she’s done – and continues to keep doing. The final score was 6-2, 6-1.
Also on the women’s side, fifth-seeded Simona Halep smashed her racket in frustration en route to a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 victory over 34th-ranked Timea Babos.
“I had to stop rushing”, said Murray, who arrived at the year’s final Grand Slam off victories at Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics and may have expected less from Lorenzi, the 34-year-old who only won a first ATP title in July. On a rainy morning, the new roof was closed at the start of a match for the first time after it made its debut in the middle of Rafael Nadal’s win Wednesday night. After all, Williams delivered 13 aces with serves that reached 121 miles per hour.
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“Being in control of the points, so even if I lose a point, I feel like, OK, I’m in a position to win the point”.
