World No. 1 Novak Djokovic overcame a strong Andy Murray’s challenge to book his 8th consecutive US Open semi-finals ticket on Thursday morning.
The first two sets of the contest on the Arthur Ashe stadium turned out a real ding-dong piece of tennis, featuring eight service breaks and lasted 2hrs., 13mins. before the top seed dominated the second half to finish off 7-6(1) 6-7(1) 6-2 6-4.
The 2011 champion, who became the 7th player in the Open Era with at least 50 wins in Flushing Meadows, told ESPN on court, “It was a very physical battle in the opening two and a half sets. I didn’t expect anything less before the match knowing I was facing Andy.”
Novak Djokovic Secured His 4 Grand Slam Victory Over Andy Murray in the 2014 US Open Quarter- Finals. Image: Getty.
Murray has had to face sterner competition en route to the last 8 contest, having lodged 10hrs., 4min on court, compared to Djokovic’s 6hrs., 33mins, but the appeal of evening his mark against his longtime rival in majors and advannce into a fourth US open semi-final was huge motivation for the Scott.
Murray, whose brace of Grand Slam (2012 US Open & 2013 Wimbledon) triumph came at the expense of Djokovic- his only 2 wins in 5 Grand Slam meetings against the latter- rallied from a break down in the first set and 2 times in the second set to force a tie-break. Djokovic fended off the 8th seeds terrific groundstrokes in the second, but couldn’t stand on his way to a 7-6(1) win.
“We both gave our best. At times the tennis was not that nice – a lot of unforced errors due to the physical battle we had,” the 27-year-old, who is one week younger than Murray added.
Djokovic asserted control in the remainder of the tie, which ended after 1 a.m. Thursday morning.
He is now two wins away from back-to-back Grand Slam titles after his triumph at Wimbledon in July and must first pit his wit against Kei Nishikori, who secured his first career win over No. 4 seed Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6 7-5 7-6(7) 6-7(5) 6-4 to became the 1st Japanese man in the last 4 at the US open.
On facing Nishikori, whose win over the Australian Open champion marked his 1st back-toback win against a Top 10 in a grand Slam, Djokovic said: “We haven’t played against each other for a while. He’s a very talented player who has been Top 10. He’s very fast all over the court and serves well for his height. I’m expecting a tough one.”
Williams back into a Grand Slam Semis for the First Time in 2014 in Front of His Home Crowd. Image: Getty.
Serena Williams (USA) [1] beat Flavia Panneta (Ita) [11] 6-3 6-2
Serena Williams is two wins away from becoming just the second woman in the Open Era, after Chris Evert, to win three successive titles.
The top seed revamped her slow start against Flavia Panneta in the top half of the women’s draw night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium to seal a 6-3 6-2 win and edge just a win closer to WTA season finale in Sinapore in October.
The Italian hit the ground running on Wednesday night, breaking twice on her track to a 3-0 lead. Yet the world No. 1 rebounded in a comfy manner, winning the next six games in a row and 12 of the next 14 games to close out the contest.
“I felt she was playing really well,” the five-time champion, who will be 33 this month, replied when asked about her take on her opponents’ opening game after the match.
“I didn’t feel like I was doing too much wrong out there, and that if she kept it up, she absolutely deserved the win. But I just kept trying to do better.”
Williams, who had failed to reac the last-8 in the first three majors of the year, will face Ekaterina Makarova, who defeated 16th seed and two-time finalist in Flushing Meadows Victoria Azarenka earlier, 6-4 6-2.
“It feels so special to be back in the semi-finals for the first time this year,” she added. “Especially here in New York, my home country.
“I’ve played two lefties already this tournament and I often practice with Varvara, who’s a lefty, and I think that’s been good for me, so, I’m ready for another lefty.
“I think it will be a good match. She (Marakova) has beaten me before. I’m obviously going to just try and do the best I can.”
by Greenstarnetwork admin..
No comments:
Post a Comment