NEW YORK (AP) – Serena Williams now owns more victories in Grand Slam matches than anyone else in tennis’ Open era, surpassing Roger Federer with her 308th.
Advertisement
So about that inflamed right shoulder that was supposed to hinder Serena Williams at the U.S. Open as she seeks a record 23rd major title: It sure seems to be just fine.
Looking to progress beyond the fourth round in Flushing Meadows for the first time in her career, Radwanska appeared on track for a routine win after earning a 2-0 lead at the start of the opening set but it was all downhill from there.
Both players dropped serve in an eventful deciding set and Pliskova failed to serve out at 6-5 up, with Williams saving a succession of break points. Then she had creamed two winners, the second one behind Pliskova as she moved, to make it five straight points and six games all.
In the tie-break, Williams did not so much run out of gas as ideas against Pliskova. “She’s so aggressive, if she’s playing her game, you don’t have any chance to do anything”, said Pliskova, who came into the U.S. Open off of her title at the Premier 5 title at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. But Williams, who turns 35 near the end of the month, can still hammer it.
Williams, 34, said: ‘I think it’s really exciting.
The 36-year-old Williams was vying to become the oldest woman to reach the US Open quarters in the Open Era.
The No.5 seed Simona Halep is also through, thanks to a 6-2, 7-5 victory over the experienced Carla Suarez-Navarro.
Serena won 28 of 30 first serve points, or 93 percent.
Del Potro, the 2009 champion, was pushed to the brink of retirement earlier this year after undergoing three surgeries on his left wrist. That’s because 19-year-old qualifier Jared Donaldson’s run ended with a straight-set loss to 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic, the oldest man to reach the fourth round in NY since Jimmy Connors was 39 in 1991.
Elsewhere, Croatian teen Ana Konjuh upset fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-4 on Monday to claim the last women’s quarter-final spot.
And third-seeded Stan Wawrinka, who saved a match point in a five-set win Saturday, faces Illya Marchenko.
Up next for the reigning Australian Open champion is No.7 seed and 2015 US Open runner-up Roberta Vinci, who fought through a tough first set to defeat Lesia Tsurenko, 7-6 (5), 6-2.
Del Potro burst into laughter and replied: “I only remember the finals against Roger, and he’s not here”.
Advertisement
Wham. Whap. Bap! Pliskova played the ideal point on match point, depositing a drive volley into the open court that was set up by a courageous backhand.
