Rafael Nadal defeats Daniil Medvedev to win US Open Men's final [19th Grand Slam title]

[MenInG]

The biggest question entering the US Open draw was where third seed Roger Federer would fall. The answer: the five-time Flushing Meadows titlist is on the top half, setting up a potential semi-final showdown with top seed Novak Djokovic.

The Swiss will play a qualifier in the first round and could meet 15th seed David Goffin in the fourth round. He is seeded to meet former finalist Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic will play Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round and could face former champion Stan Wawrinka or 2017 finalist Kevin Anderson in the fourth round. He may face a significant hurdle in the second round if Sam Querrey beats Juan Ignacio Londero. Djokovic leads Querrey 9-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series — including a win in Cincinnati — but the American won their last match at a major at Wimbledon in 2016.

A potential blockbuster is looming for the three-time US Open titlist in the quarter-finals against fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, who just won the biggest title of his career at the Western & Southern Open. Medvedev has beaten Djokovic twice this season, including in the Cincinnati semi-finals. The World No. 1 leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 3-2.

Second seed Rafael Nadal opens his campaign against Australian John Millman, who last year stunned Roger Federer in the fourth round. Nadal, a three-time champion, could meet another dangerous Aussie in Thanasi Kokkinakis — who also upset Federer last season (in Miami) — in the second round and fellow Spanish lefty Fernando Verdasco in the third round. John Isner and former champion Marin Cilic are potential opponents for the Spaniard in the fourth round.

A year ago, Nadal contested one of the best matches of the season against Dominic Thiem here in Flushing Meadows, with both players bludgeoning the ball for four hours and 49 minutes in the quarter-finals until the legendary lefty prevailed in a final-set tie-break. They are seeded to meet in the semi-finals this year.

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who opens against Moldovan Radu Albot — with whom the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion practised Wednesday — is the highest-ranked player in Nadal's quarter.

For the second straight year, #NextGenATP Canadians Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov will meet in the first round. Auger-Aliassime cracked the Top 20 of the ATP Rankings this week for the first time, and both Felix and Shapovalov reached the semi-finals in Miami earlier this season.

Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas opens against Russian Andrey Rublev, who upset Federer last week in Cincinnati. The Greek star battled past Rublev in five sets at last year's Next Gen ATP Finals. Tsitsipas has a tough draw ahead of him, with Citi Open champion Nick Kyrgios potentially looming in the third round, and newly-minted Top 10 player Roberto Bautista Agut and Italian Matteo Berrettini — who has won two ATP Tour titles this year — potential fourth-round opponents for him.

Federer won five consecutive US Opens from 2004-08 and built a 40-match winning streak at the event before his surprise defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 final at Flush Meadows.

Djokovic is the defending champion and also won the US Open in 2011 and '15. Nadal is also a three-time US Open champion, taking the title in 2010, '13 and '17.

Speaking after his late-morning practice session with Dominic Thiem Federer told ESPN that he would be otherwise occupied when the draw is made. "I don't watch the draws, I don't like it," Federer said. "I'd rather just get through it and see where I fall. Players getting through to the quarters or the semis, that's really for you guys to debate. My focus really lies in the first couple of rounds."

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-djokovic-nadal-us-open-tennis-draw

 

[MenInG]

Rafael Nadal received a hero’s welcome from fans as he made his way onto Louis Armstrong Stadium for Media Day at the 2019 US Open, but the three-time champion shared that the opposite – a normal upbringing filled with both fun and challenging moments – has been instrumental to his success on the ATP Tour.

“You need to be prepared for the tough moments,” he said. “If you overprotect the young kids when they have problems – because in life you are going to have problems at some point – probably they are not very well-prepared…

"Probably that's one of the reasons I have been able to be very competitive at very young stages of my career. I probably got a normal education, not like superstar education. I just played on the street with my friends. I had a very really normal life. That helps you to grow with the normal education.”

Nadal’s best memory from Flushing Meadows, rather than being the completion of his career Grand Slam here in 2010, was borne from one of those tough moments. The Spaniard missed the second half of the 2012 season with a left knee injury, and returned to finish 2013 as the year-end No. 1 with 10 titles from a career-high 14 finals.

“I think the match I have the best memory [of] probably is the final of 2013,” he said. “[It was an] important victory for me after a big and long injury in 2012. Being able to win a Grand Slam here on hard courts again was so special for me.”

The 33-year-old Spaniard, who added another US Open title to his collection in 2017, is still going strong 16 years after his tournament debut. Ahead of the season’s final major, Nadal claimed a record-extending 35th ATP Masters 1000 title at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal (d. Medvedev). Since mid-May, he’s won 21 of his past 22 matches and, in the process, became the first player this season to qualify for the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals.

“Of course, arriving to the big events with good feelings helps,” said the World No. 2. “My last events have been win Rome, win in Roland Garros, semi-finals in Wimbledon, and winning Montreal. That's a positive feeling, positive memory on my mind. That helps for the confidence.”

Nadal’s sole loss during that period came against Roger Federer at Wimbledon, but the earliest he could face either the Swiss or defending champion Novak Djokovic would be in the final, with his chief rivals in the top half of the draw.

“I have plenty of work before that to know if I have an advantage or not,” he said of being in the other half. “So let's see if I am able to do my work for my side.”

This year, Nadal is seeded to meet Roland Garros finalist Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals. But his first test will come against Australian John Millman, who scored a big upset last year in New York when he defeated Federer.

Nadal and Thiem played arguably the most memorable match of the 2018 US Open, when the Spaniard claimed a 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(5) victory in a quarter-final battle that wrapped up at 2:04 in the morning. Nadal, who also played lengthy matches against Karen Khachanov and Nikoloz Basilashvili earlier in the tournament, ended up retiring in his semi-final match against Juan Martin del Potro with a knee injury.

“My feeling on the knees are better this year than last year,” he said. “Last year the problem was I played three or four very, very long matches. That's tough...

"I hope to be ready for it. I think I am playing well. I am practising the right way during these days. Of course, winning in Montreal helps. I am ready for the action.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/nadal-us-open-2019-press-conference-preview

 

[SamNJ]

Is this the first time there are 2 Indians in the first round of a GS ?

 

[MenInG]

British number one Johanna Konta wins first set 6-1 against Russia's Daria Kasatkina in US Open first round
Compatriot Harriet Dart also in action against Ana Bogdan
Britain's Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie open their campaigns later on Monday
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Ashleigh Barty among the others playing on day one

 

[MenInG]

Serena Williams made the perfect return to the US Open after last year's controversial final by thrashing her long-time rival Maria Sharapova.

Williams, 37, won 6-1 6-1 in a first-round meeting which ended up lasting just 59 minutes.

Twelve months ago, Williams called the umpire "a cheat" and "a liar" during her loss to Naomi Osaka.

But the mood was rather different as she beat the 32-year-old Russian for the 19th time in a row.

Eighth seed Williams, who is bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title and a first since returning from giving birth two years ago, broke Sharapova's serve five times as she eased into a second-round meeting with fellow American Catherine McNally.

When asked about the decision not to allow Portuguese umpire Carlos Ramos to officiate her matches in New York following their infamous row, Williams said: "I do not know who that is."

Konta & Evans advance to second roundKerber out but Barty & Pliskova progress

From the moment Williams and Sharapova were drawn against each other on Thursday, the latest meeting between two of the biggest names in the sport was the main talking point of the first round at Flushing Meadows.

World number one Osaka said she was going to "set a timer" to make sure she did not miss the match, while 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer added he would be watching while he warmed up for his opener which followed on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The arena barely had an empty seat for the opening night session of the tournament, with former world heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson and Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin among the 24,000 fans.

Williams and Sharapova have had a frosty relationship since they first met on court in 2003, although the American said before they were due to meet at the French Open last year - a match which she then pulled out of with injury - that she did not have any "negative feelings" towards the Russian.

In truth, it has not been much of a rivalry on court in recent years, Williams having won 19 of their 21 previous meetings and both of Sharapova's wins - including the Wimbledon final - coming back in 2004.

In their first meeting since the 2016 Australian Open, it was a familiar struggle for Sharapova who has struggled with a long-standing shoulder injury and slipped down the rankings to 87th as a result.

Williams, moving well and showing few signs of a recent back problem, out-powered her from the baseline and wrapped up the first set in just 25 minutes.

Sharapova was broken in the first game of the second set before increasing the intensity of her groundstrokes to force two break points in the fourth.

But a poor return and a wonderful winner from Williams allowed the home favourite to recover - and the inability to break back sealed Sharapova's fate.

Williams took her serve in the next game for a 4-1 lead and, after fighting off three more break points, sealed victory when Sharapova hit a backhand long as she ended the match without winning a single point on her second serve.

"That winner at 3-1 in the second set was a big point for me. She's the type of player who can get momentum so I was really excited I could get the winner," Williams added.

"Obviously, I'm going against a player who has won five Grand Slams and reached the final of even more so I knew it would be tough.

"I was super intense and super focused because it was an incredibly tough draw.

"Whenever I come up against her I play my best tennis."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49478202

 

[MenInG]

World number one Novak Djokovic booked his place in the second round of the US Open with victory over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

The Serb three-time champion won 6-4 6-1 6-4 to kick-off the defence of his title at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic has reached the final on his past three appearances in New York but was taken to four sets in his opening two rounds last year.

He faces Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero next.

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Meanwhile, Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedevtook just 85 minutes to see off Indian world number 88 Prajnesh Gunneswaran with a routine 6-4 6-1 6-2 win.

The 23-year-old, who has reached three consecutive tour finals this year, will face Bolivian world number 84 Hugo Dellien in round two.

"I can't say I'm feeling amazing about my game but to win by that score in the first round is great," he said. "I hope I can continue to play well."

Medvedev, who won the Cincinnati title earlier this month, is widely tipped as the man to put an end to Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's dominance.

"I always try to stay at the same time a little bit away [from such talk], because I always say at this moment of my career I haven't even been in the quarters of a Slam yet," he said.

"So that's the first step to make, and if I make this step, then I can talk about bigger goals and bigger achievements."

Elsewhere, Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori raced into the second round when he took a 6-1 4-1 lead before Argentine opponent Marco Trungelliti, 29, retired with a back problem.

"It's a little bit sad to see. He's a great player," said Nishikori, who faces 108th-ranked American Bradley Klahn in the next round.

"I played great tennis from the beginning and I'm happy with the way I played. But honestly, I wanted to play a little more because I was feeling good on the court and I wanted to get a little more confidence."

Belgian 15th seed David Goffin overcame Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 and will take on Cameron Norrie's conqueror, Gregoire Barrere in round two.

Swiss 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka reached the second round with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-3 win over Italian Jannik Sinner. The 23rd seed will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy next.

American 16-year-old Zach Svajda, who received a wild card into the main draw, took Italian veteran Paolo Lorenzi, 37, to the wire in a thrilling 3-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 defeat.

World number 136 Lorenzi, called up as a lucky loser after former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson pulled out with a knee injury on Saturday, takes on Serbian teenager Miomir Kecmanovic next.

But Italian 11th seed Fabio Fognini lost 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 to American 21-year-old Reilly Opelka, who will face German qualifier Dominik Koepfer in the next round.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49477517

 

[MenInG]

Is this the first time there are 2 Indians in the first round of a GS ?

Roger Federer overcame a brief scare to beat Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal in his first-round match at the US Open.

The 38-year-old Swiss, who is bidding for a record sixth title in New York, lost the first set before recovering to win 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4.

Earlier on Monday, world number one Novak Djokovicprogressed with a straight-sets victory over Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

The Serb kicked off the defence of his title with a 6-4 6-1 6-4 win.

Federer also lost the first set in his opening match against South African debutant Lloyd Harris at Wimbledon last month, improving as the tournament wore on and eventually losing to Djokovic in the final.

Nagal, 22, has never won a tour-level match and was playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time, but tested his illustrious opponent before losing in two hours and 30 minutes.

Third seed Federer will meet Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the next round at Flushing Meadows.

"I just tried to forget the first set, play tough and stay with him," said Federer, who last won the US Open in 2008.

"I wasn't serving consistently enough. I was hitting double faults that usually I don't do. Also I was just hitting too many unforced errors. I was in two minds, I guess.

"I was able to clear that a little bit. Maybe it's not a bad thing to go through a match like this."

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Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev took just 85 minutes to see off Indian world number 88 Prajnesh Gunneswaran with a routine 6-4 6-1 6-2 win.

The 23-year-old, who has reached three consecutive tour finals this year, will face Bolivian world number 84 Hugo Dellien in round two.

"I can't say I'm feeling amazing about my game but to win by that score in the first round is great," he said. "I hope I can continue to play well."

Medvedev, who won the Cincinnati title earlier this month, is widely tipped as the man to put an end to Djokovic, Federer and Nadal's dominance.

"I always try to stay at the same time a little bit away [from such talk], because I always say at this moment of my career I haven't even been in the quarters of a Slam yet," he said.

"So that's the first step to make, and if I make this step, then I can talk about bigger goals and bigger achievements."

Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori raced into the second round when he took a 6-1 4-1 lead before Argentine opponent Marco Trungelliti retired with a back problem.

"It's a little bit sad to see. He's a great player," said Nishikori, who faces 108th-ranked American Bradley Klahn in the next round.

"I played great tennis from the beginning and I'm happy with the way I played. But honestly, I wanted to play a little more because I was feeling good on the court and I wanted to get a little more confidence."

Belgian 15th seed David Goffin overcame Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 and will take on Cameron Norrie's conqueror, Gregoire Barrere, in round two.

Swiss 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka reached the second round with a 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-3 win over Italian Jannik Sinner. The 23rd seed will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy next.

American 16-year-old Zach Svajda, who received a wildcard into the main draw, took Italian veteranPaolo Lorenzi , 37, to the wire in a thrilling 3-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 defeat.

World number 136 Lorenzi, called up as a lucky loser after former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Kevin Anderson pulled out with a knee injury on Saturday, takes on Serbian teenager Miomir Kecmanovic next.

But Italian 11th seed Fabio Fognini lost 6-3 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 to American 21-year-old Reilly Opelka , who will face German qualifier Dominik Koepfer in the next round.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/tennis/49477517?__twitter_impression=true

 

[MenInG]

Three-time champion Rafael Nadal opened his US Open campaign with a dominant win as Australian opponent John Millman could not replicate last year's shock win over Roger Federer.

Nadal's physical state is always a concern but the Spaniard looked sharp in a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory.

The second seed broke Millman's serve five times in a one-sided match.

Nadal, 33, will play Millman's fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round.

Kokkinakis, 23, has seen his career disrupted by a serious shoulder injury and will face the 18-time Grand Slam champion after earning his first win at a major since the 2015 French Open.

Nadal is no stranger to injuries himself, of course, and his comfortable win against Millman was a happy return to Ashe, where he was forced to retire from his semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro with a knee problem last year.

Returning to deafening cheers for Tuesday's night session, Nadal made a customary slow start as he fought off a break point in the first game before taking 30-year-old Millman's serve in the fourth proved enough for the opener.

Millman, ranked 60th, earned the biggest win of his career against Federer in last year's last-16 match after fighting back from a set down.

But he was unable to produce a similar fightback with Nadal focused and firing on the other side of the net to clinch victory in two hours and 11 minutes

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49492126

 

[MenInG]

Britain's Andy Murray continued his recovery from hip surgery with a 6-3 6-4 win over Slovakian Norbert Gombos at the Rafa Nadal Open in Mallorca.

The second-round Challenger Tour match did not begin under the lights until shortly after 10pm local time.

Wildcard Murray lost his serve once in each set but covered the court well against the world number 115, seeded three.

He won in one hour, 43 minutes and will play Matteo Viola in the third round.

In his third tournament since returning to singles following his surgery in January, Murray began his first Challenger Tour event for 14 years with a routine 6-0 6-1 win over 17-year-old Imran Sibille on Monday.

He was given more of a test by the unusual short, flat groundstrokes of 29-year-old Gombos, who reached his first ATP Tour quarter-final at the recent Citi Open, losing to eventual winner Nick Kyrgios.

Murray saved a break point in a high-calibre rally at 0-1 in the second set and another at 2-1, with Gombos unable to consistently match the precision of his illustrious three-time Grand Slam-winning opponent.

But after two fine winners in the seventh game, Gombos then broke Murray to level at 4-4, only to hand the break back immediately when he netted a forehand.

A cross-court forehand gave Murray three match points and he needed only one as he moved through to a meeting with Italian Viola, the world number 240, on Thursday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49491315

 

[Firebat]

Johanna Konta and Dan Evans to lead British fight on day three

Johanna Konta and Dan Evans - Britain's remaining players in the US Open singles - face first-time opponents in the second round on Wednesday.

British number one Konta, who opened with a win over Daria Kasatkina, faces Margarita Gasparyan (16:00 BST).

British number two Evans has a tough test against world number 27 Lucas Pouille in the men's draw.

Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic is up against Juan Ignacio Londero.

Before that five-time champion Roger Federer, who last won the title in 2008, plays Bosnia-Herzegovina's Damir Dzumhur in one of the two early matches inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The other match sees women's third seed and 2016 finalist Karolina Pliskova take on Georgia's Mariam Bolkvadze.

Serena Williams, a six-time champion and last year's runner-up, is last up on the main court where she faces fellow American Catherine McNally.

After her first-round win over Maria Sharapova, Williams, 37, revealed she had been tweaking her game in the build-up to this tournament.

"I've been working on a lot of new things," she said. "I don't really talk about what I've been working on so much. I definitely have been working on a lot of new stuff to incorporate in my game."

Other highlights on day three include two Louis Armstrong Stadium matches - fifth seed Elina Svitolina against two-time champion Venus Williams, and French Open champion Ashleigh Barty facing world number 73 Lauren Davis.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49491884

 

[MenInG]

Roger Federer came from a set down to beat Damir Dzumhur 3-6 6-2 6-3 6-4 under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof to reach the US Open third round.

The world number three hit 17 unforced errors in losing the first set.

But the Swiss five-time champion dominated the remainder of the match to defeat Bosnian world number 99 Dzumhur.

Victory for the 38-year-old sets up a third-round match against either Britain's Dan Evans or Frenchman Lucas Pouille at Flushing Meadows.

Evans and Pouille will play on Thursday after rain in New York forced the cancellation of Wednesday's day session on the outside courts.

Federer dropped the opening set in his first-round win over Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal and he made another slow start here, losing the first four games of the match.

"I don't think there is a secret to a good start other than warming up well, being well prepared mentally and not underestimating your opponent. I did all of that," said Federer, after a match played under the roof because of rain in New York on Wednesday.

"So when it happens in back-to-back matches it's a bit frustrating more than anything, especially when the level is that low and there are that many errors and the energy is not kind of there.

"But I'm not concerned because once I lose that first set I do get better, which is a good thing."

After serving out the first set, 27-year-old Dzumhur held a break point in the opening game of the second set but could not convert.

Federer then immediately broke with a forehand winner and levelled the match through another break when Dzumhur double-faulted.

The Swiss broke at the first opportunity in the second set but had to save four break points in the seventh game as Dzumhur continued to push him.

After sealing the set with an ace, a forehand winner allowed Federer to break in the third game of the fourth set and he went on to seal victory in two hours and 22 minutes.

Federer hit 16 aces to Dzumhur's two and 58 winners overall - more than double his opponent's 26.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49503465

 

[MenInG]

Serena Williams fought back from a set down to beat American teenager Caty McNally in an entertaining late-night match at the US Open.

Williams, 37, took control midway through the second set to win 5-7 6-3 6-1.

The eighth seed dropped just five points in a one-sided final set.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion will play Czech Karolina Muchova or Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei in the third round.

Williams thrashed long-time rival Maria Sharapova in the opening round on Monday , but was given a much sterner test by McNally on the 17-year-old's first main-draw appearance at Flushing Meadows.

McNally, ranked 121st in the world, constructed some excellent points as she tried to move Williams around the court and it proved successful when she claimed the first break point of the match for a 6-5 lead.

GB's Konta & Evans delayed by rainFederer beats Dzumhur to make third roundSvitolina and Pliskova through to last 32Nishikori battles past KlahnJamie Murray column: Steaks, Skupski and the Great Wall of Noob

After fighting off three break-back points, McNally sealed the set at the second attempt to move halfway to a famous victory against one of the all-time greats, who had already won the 1999 US Open before McNally was born in November 2001.

Eventually Williams found a level closer to her best, breaking for a 4-2 lead in the second set and levelling after missing four set points on McNally's serve.

The final set was a different story to the previous two, Williams winning 16 of the opening 17 points and needing little over 20 minutes to clinch victory.

Williams will find out her next opponent on Thursday. The meeting between Hsieh and Muchova was one of the many first-round matches cancelled on Wednesday after rain decimated play in New York.

Earlier in Wednesday's night session, Australian second seed Ashleigh Barty battled past American Lauren Davis in straight sets.

The French Open champion, 23, saved a set point in the second before taking her fourth match point to win 6-2 7-6 (7-2) on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/tennis/49507064?__twitter_impression=true

 

[Rellu_Katta]

US Open: Champion Novak Djokovic defies injury to reach last 32

Defending champion Novak Djokovic battled through a shoulder injury to make the US Open third round with a win over Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero.

The top seed needed treatment three times, but still went on to win 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-1.

"It was definitely affecting my serve and my backhand," said Djokovic, who lost his serve five times.

The Serb added he had not felt that "kind of sensation too many times" in his career.

"I didn't know if I would be able to finish the match. I'm really glad I have," he said.

Fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic will be Djokovic's next opponent if he beats American Denis Kudla.

Their meeting was one of the many second-round matches cancelled on Wednesday after rain decimated play in New York.

Only the eight matches played underneath the closed roofs on Arthur Ashe Stadium - where 16-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic beat Londero in the first match of the night session - and Louis Armstrong Stadium survived the drizzle which fell for the majority of the third day.

Djokovic, 32, is favourite to win his fourth title at Flushing Meadows after winning four of the past five Grand Slams, yet the sight of him needing intense massages in his second-round match may provide hope to his rivals that the Serb is not invincible.

Djokovic asked for a first medical timeout immediately before breaking back for 3-3 in the first set, calling the trainer again moments after he clinched the opener by outlasting Londero in a 22-shot rally.

Londero, who had never played in the main draw at Flushing Meadows until this tournament, managed to take advantage in a fluctuating second set where he led 3-0 and trailed 5-3 before forcing a tie-break.

However, Djokovic upped the intensity to dominate the second-set decider and encountered few problems from then on.

Despite his obvious struggles, Djokovic showed little sign of frustration throughout the first two sets, although hammering a ball into the court between serves when Londero broke again at the start of the third set did indicate his displeasure and discomfort.

Nevertheless, Djokovic quickly ran away with the final set as Londero starting racking up unforced errors, winning in two hours and 15 minutes.

"I was also lucky to find my way back in the second set and to win in straight sets," Djokovic added.

"At changeovers, I tried to use within the rules as much as I can physiotherapy and medical help. That has definitely helped me stay in the match.

"The good thing about Grand Slams is you have a day off in between the matches. I'm hoping that with proper medical help and treatments, I'll be able to get myself in a better state than I was today."

Source

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49506891

 

[MenInG]

Dan Evans set up another Grand Slam meeting with Roger Federer by beating French 25th seed Lucas Pouille in the US Open second round in New York.

The British men's number two, 29, dug deep to overcome an out-of-sorts Pouille in a 6-4 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 win.

Meanwhile, Johanna Konta made an impressive statement as she swatted aside unseeded Russian Margarita Gasparyan in 54 minutes.

The British number one, 28, hit 24 winners in an emphatic 6-1 6-0 victory.

Konta will play China's 33rd seed Zhang Shuai in the third round on Friday.

Evans said he has the belief he can push five-time US Open champion Federer, who beat him at Wimbledon in 2016 and at the Australian Open earlier this year.

"I hope to enjoy the occasion and not just be part of the show," he told BBC Radio 5 Live of a match that will also be played on Friday.

"I know Roger's game pretty well, but have to put to the side that I'm playing him. It's the third round of a major and I have the chance to reach the fourth round - I'm confident I can do it."

Evans, now 58th in the world after being unranked last year, impressively punished Pouille in the opening two sets, then recovered well after losing his way in the third.

Evans was praised by Federer after the Briton pushed him in a 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 second-round defeat in Melbourne in January and has another opportunity to test him further in New York.

The 38-year-old said it was like "playing in the mirror a little bit" and then went on to invite Evans to practise with him in Switzerland before the French Open.

Federer has made slow starts in his opening wins over Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal and Damir Dzumhur, looking a shadow of his usual self in poor first sets.

He has the benefit of an extra day off after playing his second-round victory under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof on Wednesday, while Evans' match against Pouille was pushed back to Thursday because of the rain which cancelled play on the outer courts.

There was little danger of more weather disruption as the sunshine returned to New York, with Evans using the favourable conditions at a sun-baked Flushing Meadows to his advantage.

With plenty of British backing on a packed court 12, Evans edged an entertaining first set, in which both players pushed the other on their service games, by taking his third set point.

Pouille reached the Australian Open semi-finals in January, albeit being outclassed at that stage by eventual champion Novak Djokovic, but struggled to land a first serve as signs of his streakiness appeared.

Evans looked to be cruising towards victory when he went an early break up on the third, only to plant a volley for a 5-2 lead into the net, which looked like it could prove costly.

That error allowed Pouille to fight back and force a fourth set after the Frenchman finally found his service game to win a tie-break which Evans had led 3-0.

Evans put that disappointment behind him by breaking in the first game of the fourth and, after swapping breaks again, took his second match point to win in three hours and 10 minutes.

The Briton said: "It was a difficult match. I knew there would be tough points in the match. I came through pretty well in the end."

Like Evans, Konta's victory was worth the long wait for the Briton after the rain chaos, although the three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist did actually make it on to court on Wednesday before going back off again without a ball being hit.

Konta said it meant she had a near 11-hour day at Flushing Meadows after arriving at 8:30am and not leaving until about 7pm once the day's play had been cancelled.

Perhaps that motivated the Briton to race through the match once she gained the advantage against the 24-year-old Russian, who is ranked 61st after being 370th at this stage last year.

Gasparyan won the first game on her serve before Konta rattled off the next 12 games to win the second quickest completed match at the tournament.

"On-court time is a little bit irrelevant because you either come through quickly or you come through in three sets in three hours. Either way you're pleased to come through," Konta said.

"Obviously it's good not to spend a long time out there if you've got another match to prepare for tomorrow. However, I don't think it's a deciding factor.

"I think overall I'm just pleased with how I was able to play."

Konta will bid to equal her best performance of reaching the fourth round in New York when she faces 30-year-old Zhang.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49505085

 

[MenInG]

British number two Dan Evans was outclassed as Swiss great Roger Federer rediscovered his best form to ease into the US Open fourth round.

Federer, 38, played with his trademark fluency in a 6-2 6-2 6-1 victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The third seed had dropped the first sets in both of his previous two matches, but played with a swagger.

Five-time champion Federer, who lost in the last 16 last year, will play David Goffin or Pablo Carreno Busta next.

Evans was playing his second match in 24 hours after only completing his three-hour victory over French 25th seed Lucas Pouille at about 15:00 local time on Thursday.

Despite only leaving the Flushing Meadows site at about 18:00, the world number 58 had to be back to play Federer at midday on Friday.

"I was fatigued, I thought it was pretty tough to be first up after playing yesterday if I'm brutally honest," Evans, 29, said.

"Him being totally fresh and me battling yesterday, it is completely polar opposite.

"To try and beat him being tired, stiff, and having played four sets… it is nigh on impossible.

"He played near-perfect tennis."

Evans, resurrecting his career after being without a ranking last year, pushed the 20-time Grand Slam champion when they met at the Australian Open in January but the 29-year-old could not impose himself in what proved to be a miserable first appearance on Ashe.

The Briton did not look overawed by the occasion as he stepped out in the lunchtime New York heat, laughing with Federer and basketball legend Kobe Bryant - who was helping with the coin toss - at the net.

But the smiles soon turned to grimaces as he was beaten in one hour 20 minutes - the shortest completed men's match of the tournament.

Evans played some wonderful stuff in his second-round win over 25th seed Lucas Pouille on Thursday, albeit helped by an erratic display from the Frenchman who could not land a first serve and clocked up 81 unforced errors.

Here, he was given no help by Federer.

The Swiss, perhaps benefiting by an extra day off than Evans, showed his intentions by starting the match with an ace and was then allowed to dictate his service games, pushing forward regularly and finishing by winning 69% of his 36 net points.

The second set flashed by Evans, with Federer not dropping a single point on his serve and hitting 20 winners compared to none from the Briton.

"In the locker room we call that a golden set," former player Jeff Tarango said on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentary. "It's a golden serving set - it's so hard to serve a whole set without losing a point and we've just seen Roger Federer do it.

"Federer is definitely going to talk about it at dinner."

Evans earned some brief respite in the third by breaking back for 2-1 and showed his relief with a huge roar.

That could not inspire a change of fortunes, however, Federer stepping up to immediately regain his advantage and then win the next three games to seal a comfortable win.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49531202

 

[sweep_shot]

Federer still has it. He is the greatest tennis player of all time possibly.

He is also a very humble and polite guy.

 

[Firebat]

Novak Djokovic through, while Daniil Medvedev is booed in his victory

Defending champion Novak Djokovic is through to the US Open last 16 after showing few signs of a shoulder injury in a straight-sets victory over American Denis Kudla.

The top seed progressed with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win against the 111th-ranked Kudla.

The Serb, 32, has been struggling with the problem for "a couple of weeks", but said he was "almost pain free".

"That's a big improvement on my last match," said Djokovic, who will play Swiss 23rd seed Stan Wawrinka next.

The three-time US Open championis the favourite to win his fifth Grand Slam from the last six, but was hampered by the shoulder problem during his second-round victory over Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero - needing three medical time-outs during Wednesday's match.

Afterwards, he said he would need to use his day off on Thursday to have more treatment to put him in "a better state" for Friday's final match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and did not practise at Flushing Meadows until about 19:45 local time, before going on court under two hours later.

Yet he encountered few problems against Kudla, breaking serve four times and saving seven break points to set up a meeting with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka - who is likely to push Djokovic more physically - on Sunday.

Wawrinka, 34, beat Djokovic at Flushing Meadows to win the 2016 title.

Medvedev overcomes Lopez and boos

Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev was booed by a hostile crowd as he beat Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The world number five received an unsportsmanlike conduct code violation for snatching a towel from a ballperson's hands in the first set, and he later made an offensive gesture towards the crowd.

He escaped punishment for the gesture, unseen by the umpire despite it being replayed on a television screen in the stadium, as umpire Damien Dumusois said he would "have to see it myself."

Medvedev was also booed as he was interviewed on court after the match, and said: "I want all of you to know, when you sleep tonight, I won because of you. The energy you gave. The more you do this, the more I win."

He faces German qualifier Dominik Koepfer next and said he would try and improve his behaviour.

"I am working on myself and hopefully I will be better next time," added the Russian.

Nishikori downed by De Minaur

Seventh seed Kei Nishikori is out after losing to 20-year-old Australian Alex de Minaur.

The Japanese, runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2014, went two sets down before a brief fightback in a 6-2 6-4 2-6 6-3 defeat.

For Australian world number 38 De Minaur, one of the game's rising stars, it was his first win over a top-10 player and he will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov next.

"This is where I feel like my game's at," De Minaur said after reaching the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time.

"I want to be pushing second weeks of Grand Slams and putting myself out there. So very happy. Hopefully I can just keep it rolling."

In 2018 at the same venue, the Australian squandered a two-set lead against 2014 champion Marin Cilic to lose in five sets in the third round.

"Last year it was a bit of a heartbreaking match for me," he said. "It stung a lot, but you learn so much from it. You know that that's your level."

Meanwhile, Belgium's David Goffin beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno-Busta 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (11-9) 7-5 and will next take on 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, who knocked out Briton Dan Evans.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49530632

 

[Firebat]

Teenager Coco Gauff to face champion Naomi Osaka

When defending champion Naomi Osaka and teenage sensation Coco Gauff meet in the third round of the US Open on Saturday, even Serena Williams says she will be "excited to be a fan girl".

Gauff, 15, became a household name when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon before losing to eventual champion Simona Halep.

It is only her second appearance in a Grand Slam singles main draw.

"I definitely think it's the future of women's tennis," said Williams.

"I think it's super-exciting tennis. It will be a really interesting match," Williams, who lost to Osaka in last year's final, added.

Japan's Osaka, who won the Australian Open in January, has struggled with form and injury since becoming world number one.

The 21-year-old reached just the third round at the French Open before being knocked out at the first stage at Wimbledon and has also failed to beat a top-10-ranked player since the start of the year.

Meanwhile, Gauff has continued her impressive form, winning her first WTA doubles title at the Washington Open alongside compatriot Catherine McNally, 17.

"She's done so well again here this tournament," said Swiss five-time champion Roger Federer. "I think we're all a bit surprised that she's able to back it up after Wimbledon which was already an incredible run.

"For her to strive in those conditions shows she's going to have a great future ahead of her. It's going to be a big day [on Saturday]. I wish her all the best, of course."

Seeds go head-to-head

Elsewhere in the women's draw, former Australian Open champion and two-time US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki is up against Canadian 15th seed Bianca Andreescu on Arthur Ashe.

Nineteen-year-old Andreescu clinched her second WTA title in Toronto this month following Williams' retirement in the final and the teenager also beat German three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in the final at Indian Wells in March.

Dutch seventh seed Kiki Bertens takes on German 26th seed Julia Gorges on Louis Armstrong, while Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens faces Germany's Andrea Petkovic, ranked 88th, on Grandstand.

Elsewhere in the men's draw...

Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal takes on South Korean world number 170 Chung Hyeon in the second match on Arthur Ashe.

Nadal, who was knocked out by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in last year's US Open semi-final, is seeking a fourth title in New York.

Australian 28th seed Nick Kyrgios, who lost to Nadal in the second round at Wimbledon, plays Russian Andrey Rublev, ranked 43rd.

And German sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who has failed to go beyond the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam this year, faces Slovenian world number 80 Aljaz Bedene on Louis Armstrong.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49532117

 

[MenInG]

Naomi Osaka has won hearts all over again.

The defending champion consoled 15-year-old American Coco Gauff after beating her 6-3 6-0 in the third round of the US Open.

"She was crying, she won. I was crying. Everybody was crying!" said Gauff. "I didn't know why she was crying. I was like, 'you won the match!'"

It was not the first time Osaka has shown compassion in victory and after a heart-warming embrace at the net, she invited a tearful Gauff to speak to the crowd in a post-match interview.

"I was wanting to leave the court because I'm not the type of person who wants to cry in front of everyone. I didn't want to take that moment away from her, as well," said Gauff, competing in only her second Grand Slam singles main draw.

"She told me it's better than crying in the shower. She convinced me multiple times to stay. I kept saying no. Finally I said, OK, I'll do it. Because I didn't know what to do.

"I'm happy that she kind of convinced me to do it because, I mean, I'm not used to crying in front of everyone."

Osaka, 21, was holding back tears herself when she then spoke directly to Gauff's box, before apologising for playing so well.

"You guys raised an amazing player," said the Japanese world number one. "I used to see you guys training in the same place as us. The both of us made it and are working as hard as we can. I think this is the most focused I have been since Australia.

Turning back to Gauff, she added: "I am sorry for playing you in this mentality. It was super fun!"

Osaka later told a news conference: "It was kind of instinctive because when I shook her hand, I saw that she was kind of tearing up a little. Then it reminded me how young she was.

"I was just thinking it would be nice for her to address the people that came and watched her play. They were cheering for her."

Gauff said she had not expected that reaction from Osaka.

"I'm glad that I was able to experience that moment," she said. "I'm glad the crowd was kind of helping me and her.

"For me a definition of an athlete is someone who treats you as their worst enemy on the court but after they treat you like you're their best friend. That's what she did."

Japanese top seed Osaka announced herself to the world when she won the US Open last year after an angry Serena Williams accused the umpire of being a "thief" in some of the most dramatic scenes at a Grand Slam final.

Williams was given a game penalty for her outburst, which followed racquet smashing and another code violation as Osaka won 6-2 6-4.

"I'm sorry it had to end like this," a crying Osaka said during the trophy presentation.

Fast-forward 12 months and Osaka was once again up against the home favourite on Arthur Ashe. But this time the tears were different.

Osaka, though still only 21, was the senior - showing grace and maturity as she offered advice and comfort to Gauff - but could not hide her emotions when speaking to the teenager's family.

And remaining humble, Osaka laughed when it was suggested she was a "mentor" before hugging Gauff as the American left the court.

It was a moment which American 11th seed Sloane Stephens said is "what tennis should be about".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49539902

 

[MenInG]

Roger Federer cruised into the US Open quarter-finals, thrashing 15th seed David Goffin 6-2 6-2 6-0 in just 78 minutes.

The Swiss five-time champion fell a break down early in the first set but then won six games in a row to establish control in the fourth-round match.

Federer, 38, hit 34 winners while Belgian Goffin could only manage eight.

He will face Grigor Dimitrov or Alex de Minaur in the last eight.

"It was great. David didn't have his best day either, he was struggling. I was down on the score early so had to come back mentally," said Federer.

"But then when I was up a break I started to feel like he wasn't playing the same way and I was very happy with my level of play."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49545319

 

[MenInG]

Defending champion Novak Djokovic is out of the US Open after quitting through injury against Swiss 23rd seed Stan Wawrinka as defeat loomed in an electrifying fourth-round match.

Djokovic, 32, retired with a shoulder problem seconds after a double fault left him two sets and a break down.

Loud boos greeted the Serb's decision, with more heard as he walked off court.

"I'm sorry for the crowd, they came to see a full match but it wasn't to be," Djokovic said.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka had dominated the blockbuster clash in a boisterous atmosphere at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, producing a powerful display reminiscent of his best to lead 6-4 7-5 2-0 when Djokovic decided he could not continue.

Wawrinka, 34, will play Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the last eight.

 

[Abdullah]

Right - this just got serious. Cant have federer extending the lead. That will be the end of it

 

[The Viper]

US Open 2019: Naomi Osaka loses to Belinda Bencic in last 16

Defending champion Naomi Osaka has been knocked out of the US Open, losing 7-5 6-4 to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the last 16.

Osaka, 21, was broken late in the opening set and then again in the fifth game of the second under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof at Flushing Meadows.

Japan's Osaka will lose her world number one ranking, with Ashleigh Barty of Australia to return to the top spot.

Bencic, the 13th seed, will play Donna Vekic in the quarter-finals.

The Croat, seeded 23rd, saved a match point as she beat Germany's 26th seed Julia Gorges 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens breezed past American qualifier Kristie Ahn 6-1 6-1 in 66 minutes and will play Canadian 15th seed Bianca Andreescu or USA's Taylor Townsend next.

For Bencic, 22, it is her second appearance in the quarter-finals after also making the last eight in 2014 as a 17-year-old.

She has now beaten Osaka three times this year after previous victories in Indian Wells and Madrid.

"I was so excited to come on the court, the challenge cannot be bigger - Naomi Osaka is a great player and won the US Open last year," said Bencic. "I had to be on top of my game and am really pleased with how I played.

"She has a lot of power, I was just trying to play it a little bit like chess, anticipate and make a tactic on the court."

Osaka, who beat Serena Williams in last year's final for her maiden Grand Slam title, started off badly as she lost her serve at the first opportunity and had to save two break points to avoid going 3-0 down.

She then fought back with a break before Bencic took the decisive break in the 11th game and then served out the set.

In the second set, Osaka, who later said she had been struggling with a knee injury, double-faulted to gift Bencic another break and the Swiss player took the final game of the match with a service hold to love.

After winning the Australian Open in January for her second Grand Slam, Osaka became the world number one, a position she held until June when Barty took over.

Osaka returned to the top eight weeks later but Barty will become number one again, despite losing in the last 16 to China's Qiang Wang on Sunday.

"For me, right now I have this feeling of sadness, but I also feel like I have learned so much during this tournament," said Osaka, who received wide praise for comforting 15-year-old Coco Gauff, with both players crying after their third-round match.

"I feel like the steps I've taken as a person have been much greater than I would imagine at this point, so I hope I can keep growing. I know if I keep working hard, then I'll have better results."

Vekic comes back from brink to beat Gorges

Bencic's quarter-final opponent will be 23-year-old Vekic, who is through to the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time after a superb recovery against Gorges.

Germany's Gorges served for the match when leading 5-4 in the second set but appeared overcome with nerves, coughing up three double faults among a series of errors.

She did have a match point but netted a forehand and when a serve-volley went long, Vekic was back at 5-5. The Croat then broke again in Gorges' next service game to take the second set.

A single break in the decider left Vekic serving for the match at 5-3 and she had to save two break points before a Gorges smash went over the baseline to give her the victory.

"She was serving for the match, had match points but I just kept fighting and believing I could win," said Vekic.

"I was just trying to get a return in the court, she was serving amazing, but I felt confident in the rallies."

On facing Bencic, Vekic added: "She is a really good friend of mine, we practise together often and know each other's game pretty well. She's one of the best players this year."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49558713

 

[MenInG]

Spanish second seed Rafael Nadal responded to the challenge thrown down by 2014 champion Marin Cilic as he battled to reach the US Open quarter-finals with a four-set win.

Nadal, 33, ultimately had too much quality for the Croatian 22nd seed in a 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory in New York.

Cilic, 30, briefly rediscovered his best form to level before wilting.

Nadal, the 18-time Grand Slam champion, will play Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman in the last eight.

"For some moments in the second set I felt there were too many points in his hands, he was pushing me back, more aggression than me and he hit every ball very strong," said Nadal.

"After that second set I thought something needs to change or I would be in his hands. I started to return the second serve inside the court and that created a different perspective."

After 2018 champion Novak Djokovic retired injured from his last-16 match against Stan Wawrinka on Sunday, Nadal is considered the joint favourite for the men's title alongside Swiss great Roger Federer.

Nadal is aiming to close the gap to 20-time major winner Federer with his fourth title at Flushing Meadows.

The illustrious pair remain on course to meet in Sunday's final which, remarkably, would be the first meeting in New York of their enduring rivalry.

First Nadal must see off Schwartzman, who reached the last eight for the second time by beating German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.

Federer, 38, plays his quarter-final against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov at about 02:00 BST on Wednesday.

Nadal encountered few problems in a straightforward opening set, only to see the powerful Cilic find his range in the second as he cut down on the unforced errors and pinned the Spaniard back.

Cilic has recently looked a shadow of the player who was a constant fixture inside the world's top 10, a knee injury in 2018 contributing to him sliding to his lowest ranking in more than five years.

That previous form returned as he pushed Nadal back with heavy groundstrokes and backed them up with pinpoint winners to level the match.

Yet the momentum was suddenly dragged away from him by some remarkable returning from Nadal in an exhilarating fourth game of the third set.

Nadal scurried forward to reach a drop shot and then produced a twirling overhead for 0-30, topping that by somehow returning a smash which Cilic should have buried before swatting away a cross-court backhand winner for three break points.

Golf great Tiger Woods, who was animatedly supporting Nadal throughout, leapt to his feet as Ashe rose to acclaim the sheer brilliance of the Spaniard.

A deflated Cilic limply handed over the break with a double fault, producing another as Nadal broke again for a 5-1 lead on his way to a two-set lead.

That familiar problem returned on break point in the first game of the fourth set, giving Nadal a crucial break which he doubled for a 4-0 lead after seeing off a break point.

All hope was lost for Cilic by that point, Nadal teeing up match point with a stretching forehand winner around the net post which left Ashe incredulous again before he wrapped up victory in two hours and 49 minutes.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49557863

 

[MenInG]

Defending champion Naomi Osaka has been knocked out of the US Open, losing 7-5 6-4 to Switzerland's Belinda Bencic in the last 16.

Osaka, 21, was broken late in the opening set and then again in the fifth game of the second under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof at Flushing Meadows.

Japan's Osaka will lose her world number one ranking, with Ashleigh Barty of Australia to return to the top spot.

Bencic, the 13th seed, will play Donna Vekic in the quarter-finals.

The Croat, seeded 23rd, saved a match point as she beat Germany's 26th seed Julia Gorges 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Belgian 25th seed Elise Mertens breezed past American qualifier Kristie Ahn 6-1 6-1 in 66 minutes and will play Canadian 15th seed Bianca Andreescu or USA's Taylor Townsend next.

For Bencic, 22, it is her second appearance in the quarter-finals after also making the last eight in 2014 as a 17-year-old.

She has now beaten Osaka three times this year after previous victories in Indian Wells and Madrid.

"I was so excited to come on the court, the challenge cannot be bigger - Naomi Osaka is a great player and won the US Open last year," said Bencic. "I had to be on top of my game and am really pleased with how I played.

"She has a lot of power, I was just trying to play it a little bit like chess, anticipate and make a tactic on the court."

Osaka, who beat Serena Williams in last year's final for her maiden Grand Slam title, started off badly as she lost her serve at the first opportunity and had to save two break points to avoid going 3-0 down.

She then fought back with a break before Bencic took the decisive break in the 11th game and then served out the set.

In the second set, Osaka, who later said she had been struggling with a knee injury, double-faulted to gift Bencic another break and the Swiss player took the final game of the match with a service hold to love.

After winning the Australian Open in January for her second Grand Slam, Osaka became the world number one, a position she held until June when Barty took over.

Osaka returned to the top eight weeks later but Barty will become number one again, despite losing in the last 16 to China's Qiang Wang on Sunday.

"For me, right now I have this feeling of sadness, but I also feel like I have learned so much during this tournament," said Osaka, who received wide praise for comforting 15-year-old Coco Gauff, with both players crying after their third-round match.

"I feel like the steps I've taken as a person have been much greater than I would imagine at this point, so I hope I can keep growing. I know if I keep working hard, then I'll have better results."

Bencic's quarter-final opponent will be 23-year-old Vekic, who is through to the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time after a superb recovery against Gorges.

Germany's Gorges served for the match when leading 5-4 in the second set but appeared overcome with nerves, coughing up three double faults among a series of errors.

She did have a match point but netted a forehand and when a serve-volley went long, Vekic was back at 5-5. The Croat then broke again in Gorges' next service game to take the second set.

A single break in the decider left Vekic serving for the match at 5-3 and she had to save two break points before a Gorges smash went over the baseline to give her the victory.

"She was serving for the match, had match points but I just kept fighting and believing I could win," said Vekic.

"I was just trying to get a return in the court, she was serving amazing, but I felt confident in the rallies."

On facing Bencic, Vekic added: "She is a really good friend of mine, we practise together often and know each other's game pretty well. She's one of the best players this year."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49558713

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Federer vs Nadal, Probably Serena in the final again, she's running out of time and needs to get past the mental and physical barrier of winning again.

 

[MenInG]

British number one Johanna Konta missed out on the US Open semi-finals after she was worn down by Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina.

Konta, 28, was unable to impose herself in a 6-4 6-4 defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 16th seed, aiming to complete the set of major semi-final appearances, was forced into errors by 24-year-old Svitolina's impressive retrieving.

Konta saved two match points before Svitolina served out for a gutsy win.

Svitolina, the highest seed left in the draw, will play American 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams or China's Wang Qiang in the last four.

Konta was the first British woman to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Jo Durie in 1983, but could not match her feat by going one step further as Svitolina maintained her record of not dropping a set during the tournament.

Svitolina, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and also won the WTA Tour Finals last year, is one of the most consistent ball-strikers in the women's game and her ability to keep putting the ball back into play proved Konta's downfall.

It led to Konta trying to force the points with her aggressive returns, leading to 35 unforced errors - and 20 more forced by her opponent - outweighing 24 winners.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49572358

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A big milestone for Medvedev &#55357;&#56394;<a href="https://twitter.com/DaniilMedwed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaniilMedwed</a> defeats Wawrinka in 4 sets and reaches the semifinals in Flushing Meadows!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USOpen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/alo3U8HZDI">pic.twitter.com/alo3U8HZDI</a></p>— US Open Tennis (@usopen) <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen/status/1168992436691054593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Five-time champion Roger Federer is out of the US Open after Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov won a late-night thriller to finally beat the Swiss great.

Federer, 38, had won all seven of their previous meetings but Dimitrov fought back for a memorable 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 win in New York.

Federer needed treatment for a back injury in the latter stages, allowing unseeded Dimitrov to take the victory.

Dimitrov, 28, will play Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the last four.

World number 78 Dimitrov's shock win ensured there will be at least one first-time Grand Slam finalist on Sunday.

Third seed Federer, who lost to Australian John Millman in the last 16 last year, has now been knocked out of the US Open by players ranked outside of the world's top 50 for the second successive year - after never previously having lost to one at Flushing Meadows.

Afterwards, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said he was struggling with the back problem throughout the match.

"I feel low. I'm disappointed it is over because I feel as I though I was playing well," Federer said.

"It is a missed opportunity. I thought if I could get through I'd have two days off after.

"I felt it the whole time, but I was able to play."

Federer's exit leaves long-time rival Rafael Nadal as the strong favourite to lift the trophy, with defending champion Novak Djokovic also out after retiring injured from his last-16 match against Stan Wawrinka on Sunday.

Spanish second seed Nadal, a three-time US Open champion, faces Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman in their quarter-final on Wednesday.

But it is clearly a golden opportunity for 33-year-old Nadal to win his 19th Grand Slam title and narrow the gap on Federer in the race to be regarded as the greatest men's player of all time.

Federer's loss also ended the possibility of the illustrious pair, rather remarkably, meeting at the US Open for the first time in their enduring rivalry.


https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49479084

 

[MenInG]

Serena Williams underlined her tag as the favourite for the US Open with a brutal quarter-final win over China's Wang Qiang in just 44 minutes.

The 37-year-old American broke serve five times and hit 25 winners as she eased to a 6-1 6-0 win over the 18th seed on Arthur Ashe Stadium

Williams, seeded eighth, is chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

She will face Ukraine's fifth seed Elina Svitolina, who beat Britain's Johanna Konta, in the semi-finals.

"When I play someone who is playing well I have to step up or go home and I'm not ready to go," said Williams, who earned her 100th singles win at the US Open.

"I knew I needed to come out tonight and play well. I'm feeling good, had a really tough year and I'm still here.

"Physically I'm feeling great and more importantly I'm having fun every time I come out here."

Six-time US Open champion Williams has not won a Grand Slam title since returning from giving birth to daughter Olympia in September 2017.

She has fallen short of moving level with Australian Margaret Court's all-time tally with defeats in the past two Wimbledon finals and last year's US Open showpiece.

Here she has moved serenely through the draw, steamrolling past three of her opponents - including old rival Maria Sharapova - in straight sets.

American 17-year-old Caty McNally is the only player to have tested Williams, trying to push her illustrious opponent around the court in a bid to expose her perceived lack of movement.

And that will be the tactic likely to be adopted by Svitolina, whose relentless returning is the hallmark of her game.

Williams never had that problem against Wang, keeping the points short with her thunderous serves and booming groundstrokes.

Williams dropped just seven points as she raced into a 5-0 lead, Wang avoiding the bagel with a hard-earned hold before another forehand winner from the American clinched the opener in 23 minutes.

Williams won 26 of the first-set points compared to 11 by her opponent, cracking 12 winners and winning 92% of the points when she landed her first serve.

Wang, who had not dropped a set on her way to the last eight, looked completed shell-shocked as she continued to be pummelled by a ruthless Williams in the second set.

The winners continued to flow from the American's racquet as she did bagel Wang at the second attempt, sealing the shortest completed win of the tournament with another sizzling cross-court forehand.

Wang won just four points in the second set and ended the match without hitting a single winner.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49574041

 

[MenInG]

Italian 24th seed Matteo Berrettini edged a thrilling five-set match against Gael Monfils to reach a first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open.

In a gripping conclusion, the 23-year-old squandered four match points but held his nerve in a dramatic tie-break.

He eventually won 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 7-6 (7-5) in three hours and 57 minutes.

The Italian will play either three-time winner Rafael Nadal or Argentine Diego Schwartzman for a place in Sunday's final at Flushing Meadows.

"Right now I don't remember any points, just the match point," Berrettini said.

"What a great fight. I think it was one of the best matches I maybe ever saw - I was playing, but I also saw. I'm really proud of myself."

Frenchman Monfils, 33, had gone a set and a break up as his bid to reach a first US Open semi-final since 2016 got off to the perfect start on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Initially unable to settle, Berrettini gained in confidence and battled back to win 12 of the next 16 games and move a set from victory with Monfils looking increasingly fatigued.

The momentum flipped again in the fourth set as Monfils summoned the nerve to seize a fifth break point opportunity at 2-1 up - the single break of serve enough to ensure the match would go the distance.

In keeping with the flow of the contest, the pair exchanged breaks early in the fifth set - but it was the Italian who appeared to have mustered a final push for victory when he broke to love for a 4-2 lead.

That was not to be the end of the drama, as the enormity of the occasion struck Berrettini and he double-faulted on his first match point at 5-3. That quickly became break point as the experienced Monfils capitalised.

Holding to lead 6-5, two more match points were missed as Monfils forced a tie-break.

But despite threatening to let the opportunity slip once more the Italian, who had failed to progress beyond the first round in two previous attempts in New York, closed out to set up the biggest match of his career to date.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49587039

 

[MenInG]

Rafael Nadal remains the favourite to win the US Open and move within one on Roger Federer's tally of 20 Grand Slams after a hard-fought quarter-final win over Diego Schwartzman.

Spanish second seed Nadal won 6-4 7-5 6-2 against the Argentine 20th seed.

But he was made to work as Schwartzman twice rallied from four-game deficits in a stuffy Arthur Ashe stadium.

Nadal, 33, will next play Italy's 24th seed Matteo Berrettini, who beat Gael Monfils in their last eight clash.

Three of the men's semi-finalists - Berrettini, Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev - have never played in a Grand Slam final.

Nadal, who won his 18th Grand Slam with a 12th title at Roland Garros in June, has been considered one of the favourites in New York from the start of tournament, with the other two members of the 'Big Three' - Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic and Swiss great Federer - also tipped as the men to beat.

That has been a familiar pattern over the past decade such has been the trio's dominance, showing no signs of changing despite all three men entering their 30s.

The past 11 Grand Slams have all been won by either Nadal, 32-year-old Djokovic or 38-year-old Federer.

But the departure of 2018 champion Djokovic, who retired from his last-16 match against Stan Wawrinka with a shoulder injury, and Federer's quarter-final exit against Bulgarian world number 78 Dimitrov, has given the opportunity for Nadal to make a serious move in the race to be considered as the greatest player of all time.

If Nadal lifts his fourth title at Flushing Meadows he will move within one of Federer's tally for the first time.

Schwartzman falls short in late-night thriller
Before thinking that far ahead, Nadal had to see off a courageous challenge from Schwartzman, who levelled from a double break down in each of the first two sets.

A strange start saw Nadal race 4-0 ahead before the diminutive Schwartzman, backed by vociferous Argentine support on an atmospheric Ashe, hit back with four straight games of his own.

Momentum continued with Schwartzman, who created two break points for a 5-4 lead before the Spaniard dug deep to hold and clinch the opener with another break.

Remarkably the same pattern continued in the second set, Nadal moving a double break up before Schwartzman fought back from 5-1 - with a forehand winner after a desperate scramble leaving even his opponent clapping - to level at 5-5.

Again Nadal's nous proved the difference at the crucial moment, taking Schwartzman's serve in the 12th game with his third set point.

With the clock ticking past midnight, swathes of seats became empty in the early part of the third set as some spectators left for home.

Luckily for those left Nadal wrapped things up quickly, breaking twice without reply to clinch victory in two hours and 46 minutes before embracing Schwartzman at the net.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49589140

 

[MenInG]

Serena Williams has another shot at winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title after demolishing Elina Svitolina to reach the US Open final.

The American, 37, overpowered the Ukrainian fifth seed to win 6-3 6-1.

Williams, seeded eighth, is aiming for her first Grand Slam win since giving birth in September 2017.

The six-time champion will face Canadian 19-year-old Bianca Andreescu in Saturday's final in New York.

In a gripping encounter, Andreescu defeated 22-year-old Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-6 (7-3) 7-5, winning the last five games of the match.

Andreescu, who is playing in the US Open main draw for the first time and competing in only her fourth Grand Slam, was born nine months after Williams won her first title at Flushing Meadows in 1999.

Williams is already considered by many as the greatest female player ever, yet will not be satisfied herself until she has levelled - and then overtaken - Australian Margaret Court's total of all-time Grand Slam singles titles.

Following the difficult birth of daughter Olympia two years ago which almost cost Williams her life, she has reached consecutive Wimbledon finals - plus last year's controversial US Open showpiece against Naomi Osaka - without capping what has already been a remarkable comeback with another major win.

For Williams to not go on and win a seventh US Open title - an Open era record in the women's singles - would be a major shock on the evidence of her performances over the past two weeks.

Free of the knee injury which bothered her earlier this year, she is looking as sharp, powerful and clinical as she has in a long time.

That was illustrated by the ease with which she swatted aside Svitolina, the highest ranked player to reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows and competing in her second successive Grand Slam semi-final.

Serena Williams
Williams saved all six break points she faced against Svitolina
The 24-year-old has one of the most impenetrable returning games on the WTA Tour, yet even she could not keep Williams at bay.

After a slow start where Svitolina could conceivably have led 2-0, it was the American who broke at the first attempt and from that point it was all one-way traffic.

Williams found her range quickly and dominated with her powerful, precise hitting which resulted in 33 winners in a match which lasted only one hour and 10 minutes.

"The first two games were long games and I know how she can play - she is a good player," Williams said.

"I wanted to not get off to a slow start and I wanted to hang in there."

Svitolina rues missed opportunities
Svitolina was expected to provide a tougher test for Williams after clinically dispatching British number one Johanna Konta in their quarter-final on Wednesday.

With her fleet of foot and ability to return, she would have been hoping to withstand everything fired by Williams and then outlast her older opponent.

But even she could not cope with the pummelling produced by the American.

Svitolina's inability to take any of six break points in the early part of the first set proved terminal to her hopes.

Helped by three unforced errors from Williams in the opening game, Svitolina created three break points which she could not convert and then saw her illustrious opponent fight back from a 0-40 deficit to break for a 2-0 lead after a hard-fought 15 minutes.

Another 0-40 lead disappeared as Williams held for a 4-1 lead and from that point Svitolina's confidence sapped, along with her ability to push her opponent.

"I just wish I could have taken those opportunities," said Svitolina, who won the season-ending WTA Tour Finals last year.

"It could be maybe a 2-2 or 3-3 instead of 0-3, which allows you to push to play more freely."

In the second set she was not able to touch Williams's serve, winning just three receiving points.

"She has unbelievable strength. She gives lots of power," Svitolina said.

"There's lots of power behind her shots all the time. That's what makes her an unbelievable, legendary tennis player."

Saturday's final at Flushing Meadows comes four weeks after Williams tearfully retired with a back injury against Andreescu in the Rogers Cup final in Toronto.

Andreescu and Bencic were both competing in their first major semi-final, with the Canadian becoming the first teenager to play in a US Open last-four match since 2009.

Bencic made the running in the opening set but was undone as Andreescu saved all six break points created by the Swiss.

Andreescu raced into a 5-0 lead in the first-set tie-break, and despite Bencic attempting a comeback, she made her lead count as her visibly frustrated opponent came to rue her missed opportunities.

Perhaps it was the spur that Bencic - who reached the quarter-finals in New York as a 17-year-old in 2014 - needed as she replied in stunning fashion, quickly going a double break up, and despite having her own serve broken, immediately broke again to extend her lead to 5-2.

But Andreescu refused to go away and won the next five games, breaking Andreescu once more on her third match point to book her place in the final.

"I think it's just all the hard work I've put in through the years," she said. "If someone told me a year ago I would be in the US Open final this year, I'd tell them they were crazy.

"It's just surreal. I really don't know what to say. It's a dream come true playing against Serena in the final of the US Open. It's crazy."

Analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller at Flushing Meadows

Bianca Andreescu may not wish to dwell for too long on the highlights of Serena Williams' semi-final performance.

The power could be taken for granted, but perhaps not the quality of the angles she produced and her movement around the court.

The stakes rise enormously in a Grand Slam final, and Williams has lost her previous three, but in terms of preparation and confidence-building this was extremely handy.

Not that Andreescu has much to worry about, as the 19-year-old has won her last 22 completed matches, either side of a shoulder injury.

No wonder she never knows when she is beaten. Belinda Bencic made the running in both sets, but still ended up losing them.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49602299

 

[MenInG]

Daniil Medvedev v Grigor Dimitrov under way in first semi-final....

 

[MenInG]

Vote in our poll on winner of the Men's title

 

[Abdullah719]

Nadal through to the final.

Good display by Berrettini in the first set, looks a decent player.

 

[MenInG]

Rafael Nadal reached the US Open final with a dogged straight-set win over Italian Matteo Berrettini.

The Spanish second seed, 33, survived two set points in the opener before his class shone through in a 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 6-1 win at Flushing Meadows.

Berrettini, 23, lost momentum after missing his chance but still showed why he is rated highly.

Nadal, going for a fourth title in New York, plays Russia's Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final.

The fifth seed, 23, edged the crucial points against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 6-3 earlier on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Nadal is already known as the 'King of Clay' after a record 12 victories at Roland Garros, but is setting his sights on overhauling Roger Federer in the race to be considered as the greatest of all time across all surfaces - at least by using the clearest, objective indicator of Grand Slam titles.

Since 38-year-old Federer's quarter-final exit to Dimitrov at Flushing Meadows, which swiftly followed Novak Djokovic's retirement against Stan Wawrinka because of injury, Nadal has been the hot favourite to earn his 19th major win.

If Nadal beats Medvedev, like he did in the recent Rogers Cup final in Montreal, he will move within one of Federer's tally for the first time.

The Spaniard has only dropped one set on his way to final and, after using all of his survival instincts to stop Berrettini doubling that tally, produced another quality display which suggests Medvedev will find it difficult to overcome him.

Nadal, described by Berrettini before the match as the "greatest fighter ever in the sport", dominated his service games throughout the match, not facing a single break point and dropping just 13 receiving points.

"The first set was a little bit frustrating because I had a lot of free points and you don't want to be in the tie-break against a player like him," said Nadal, who failed to take any of six break points in the opening set.

"I was a little bit lucky in the tie-break but I survived and then finally I had the break and after that the match completely changed. I played with more calm and was more aggressive."

Berrettini was the first Italian man to reach a US Open semi-final since 1977 and, in a city famed for its Italian heritage and population, unsurprisingly had a raucous backing on Ashe.

But the 24th seed - along with many inside the near 24,000 arena - was left rueing his inability to come out on top in a marathon opening set which he should have closed out.

Although his huge serve came under pressure, Berrettini impressed with ferocious forehands and his ability to mix things up, but was let down by his decision-making when it mattered most.

Helped by a Nadal double fault in the first point of the tie-break, Berrettini moved into a 4-0 lead with a brutal backhand winner across the court and teed up two set points at 6-4 with a neat volley.

Serving on the next point, he became tight on his delivery and could not pick up a clean backhand when he moved forward to the net.

A poor drop shot on his second set point barely reached the net, leaving Berrettini - and the noisy American-Italian fans - deflated as the ever-indestructible Nadal fought back to take the opener in one hour and 13 minutes.

Another weak effort from the baseline also proved his undoing in the second set, bringing up two more break points in the seventh game and - unlike the first set - Nadal converted clinically.

From that point, if not from the end of the first set, the outcome was inevitable.

Experience may have proved the difference on Berrettini's first Grand Slam semi-final but the potential of the powerful Italian, who has won ATP titles on clay and grass this year as well as performing well here on the hard courts, was clearly evident.

Medvedev was hotly tipped to be the man from outside the 'Big Three' of Nadal, Serb top seed Djokovic and Federer to challenge for the final Grand Slam of the season, following an impressive build-up on the North American hard courts.

After losing in the Washington and Montreal finals to Nick Kyrgios and Nadal respectively, Medvedev went one better in Cincinnati and has continued that form to become only the third man to reach all four finals in the same season during the Open era.

Despite his success, some of his antics over the past two weeks have not endeared him to the New York crowd, goading them with his provocative post-match celebrations and interviews.

That meant 28-year-old Dimitrov, a former world number three whose ranking has fallen to 78 after a shoulder injury led to a severe slump in form, received the bulk of the backing on Ashe.

But that did not faze the Russian, whose mental strength shone through once again as he took his third match point to win in two hours and 38 minutes.

"I have to tell you it sounds not bad," Medvedev said when asked what it felt like to be a Grand Slam finalist.

In contrast to his previous exuberant celebrations, Medvedev remained straight-faced and gave just a gentle nod to the crowd when he won and became the first Russian man in a Grand Slam final since Marat Safin in 2005.

Medvedev has suffered cramps and a quad injury, as well as having his run-ins with the American fans, in an eventful tournament which he described as "crazy".

But this was almost as straightforward as it had been for Medvedev.

Dimitrov, who beat Federer in an epic late-night quarter-final on Tuesday, won more points in the first set but paid the price for not being able to take a set point at 6-5 and then crashing a forehand into the net which swung the momentum of the first-set tie-break to the Russian.

Medvedev began to breathe heavily after some lengthy rallies in the second set, particularly following a tournament high 39-shot exchange in a pivotal ninth game which the Russian survived after 11 minutes to hold.

That enabled him to pinch Dimitrov's serve in the following game for a two-set lead and then break twice in a final set which saw Dimitrov's belief disappear.

"I felt he was much closer to the first set, but I won and that changed the momentum of the match," said Medvedev, who has now won 20 of his past 22 matches.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49616281

 

[MenInG]

Britain's Jamie Murray won a US Open title for the fourth successive year with a straight-sets triumph in the mixed doubles alongside American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

The pair defended their title with a 6-2 6-3 win over top seeds Chan Hao-ching and Michael Venus.

Scot Murray, 33, also made history by becoming the first man in the Open Era to win three successive mixed titles at Flushing Meadows.

It is his seventh Grand Slam victory.

"We played amazing, the whole two weeks," Murray said at the trophy presentation. "We've had so much fun on the court. I'm really, really, really happy to win again."

Murray also won the mixed doubles in New York alongside Swiss great Martina Hingis in 2017, a year after claiming the men's title with Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

Murray and Mattek-Sands, backed by a buoyant home crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium, broke twice in a dominant first set, but in a tighter second set the teams exchanged four successive breaks of serve.

The British-American pair broke again for a 4-3 lead and converted their first match point when Mattek-Sands whacked a brilliant backhand down the line.

The 34-year-old American, who has won nine Grand Slam doubles title, celebrated by leaping on Murray before the pair took the acclaim of a jubilant crowd.

"Jamie, you were on fire these whole two weeks," Mattek-Sands said.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49622922

 

[MenInG]

Teenager Bianca Andreescu stunned Serena Williams in a gripping US Open final to claim a first Grand Slam title and deny the American a 24th major.

Williams, 37, did not cope with the 19-year-old's quality in a 6-3 7-5 loss.

Canadian 15th seed Andreescu, in the main draw here for the first time, blew a double break in the second set before taking her third match point and falling to the ground in disbelief.

"This year has been a dream come true," Andreescu told the crowd.

"I am beyond grateful and truly blessed. I've worked really hard for this moment. To play on this stage against Serena - a true legend of the sport - is amazing."

To the disappointment of a stunned home crowd on a passionate Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams has now lost four successive major finals.

"Bianca played an unbelievable match," Williams said. "I'm so proud and happy for you, it was incredible tennis out there."

Williams, seeded eighth, looked edgy throughout as she aimed to match Australian Margaret Court's tally of all-time major wins, handing over the first three of Andreescu's five breaks of serve with double faults.

By contrast, Andreescu played with the confidence which has marked her out as a star in a stunning breakthrough year.

She is the first Canadian to win a tennis major and the first teenager to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova claimed the 2006 title at Flushing Meadows.

She is the first teenager to win their maiden Slam since Russian Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004.

Andreescu kept her nerve to take a third match point with a forehand down the line, dropping her racquet to the ground and then, after a warm hug with Williams, lying on the court with her arms spread out as she contemplated her achievement.

After returning to her feet, she used a hastily-arranged step ladder to climb into her player's box and embrace her nearest and dearest, including parents Nicu and Maria.

Andreescu blocks out crowd to complete remarkable year
Before the match, Andreescu said if someone told her 12 months ago she would be facing Williams in the US Open final she would have thought they were "crazy".

Tellingly, in a sign of her unwavering confidence, she said she would not have felt the same if they told her the same thing a fortnight ago.

Twelve months ago she lost in the first round of qualifying at Flushing Meadows and was ranked outside the top 200 in the world.

But she has become the most talked-about young player on the planet following a remarkable rise this year.

Andreescu, whose Romanian parents Nicu and Maria emigrated to Canada in the 1990s, had only played six tour-level matches at the turn of the year.

Since then she has won prestigious WTA Premier titles at Indian Wells and Toronto, rising to 15th in the world as a result and raking in £1.79m of her £1.97m career prize money.

Now she will climb to fifth in the world and take home another $3.85m (£3.13m) after this success.

Andreescu was fearless throughout her maiden Grand Slam final and unfazed by the occasion of playing an American icon on the biggest tennis court in the world.

Although the crowd was unsurprisingly backing Williams throughout inside an incredible noisy Ashe, the manner in which Andreescu coped and reset after seeing her double break in the second set disappear was remarkable.

At one point, Andreescu even put her fingers in her ears as the volume became particularly loud as Williams fought back from 5-1 down.

After her first Championship point went begging in the seventh game, another disappeared when Williams hit an ace for 30-40 in what proved to be the final game before Andreescu sealed victory at the third attempt with a forehand winner.

"I definitely had to overcome the crowd. I knew you guys wanted Serena to win," a smiling Andreescu said in her on-court victory speech.

"Obviously it was expected for Serena to fight back, but I tried my best to block everything out. I'm glad how I managed to do that."

Williams fails to get over the line again
Williams said after July's defeat in the Wimbledon final against Simona Halep that the weight of history was not a burden as she aimed to clinch that record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.

Yet, after also losing last year's Wimbledon final and a controversial US Open final against Naomi Osaka 12 months ago, this latest defeat inevitably leads to more questions about why she cannot get over the line.

With time seemingly running out for the six-time US Open champion, who turns 38 this month, it makes you wonder how many more chances she will have to earn her place as the greatest ever, at least in numerical terms.

However, BBC Radio 5 Live analyst Jeff Tarango is in no doubt she will reach more Grand Slam finals.

"I think Serena will pull it together. I don't have any doubt. She's going to be back, she's not going to give up," the American said.

If Williams was looking for a comfortable start following her three previous final defeats, that did not materialise.

Nerves again seemed to take hold as she produced two double faults to gift the opening game to Andreescu, leaving her chasing a deficit which she could not recover.

It was the first break point she had faced - and lost - since the first set of her fourth-round win over Croat Petra Martic.

The confidence she showed in the routine wins over China's 18th seed Wang Qiang and Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina were not apparent as Andreescu's depth and variety, plus her ability to absorb Williams' power, unsettled the American.

Williams, who had close friend Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, sitting with her family, could not play with the control she showed against Wang and Svitolina, producing 14 unforced errors in a loose opening set.

All of her nine previous defeats in Grand Slam finals came after losing the opening sets and this miserable record did not look like changing when Andreescu started racing away with the second set.

Williams looked dejected as she continued to struggle to land a first serve, regularly looking at her racquet and shaking her hand as though she had no answers.

Suddenly she started to provide them in a spirited fightback, only for two more unforced errors to creep in to stall her momentum as Andreescu broke for a sixth time.

"I was just fighting at that point [at 5-1 down in the second set], trying to stay out there a little bit longer. The fans started cheering so hard and it made me feel better and fight a bit more," Williams said.

"Bianca played an unbelievable match. If anyone could win this, outside of [sister] Venus, I'm happy it's Bianca."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49623914

 

[Hitman]

Hoping for Nadal’s 19th grand slam win tonight. My all time favorite.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Medvedev in 4, I reckon.

 

[asadee]

First Canadian to win a singles Grand slam so proud of her

 

[MenInG]

Nadal or Medvedev?

Vote on our poll on top of this thread

 

[Abdullah719]

What a third set by Medvedev. Nadal still favourite, but he's shown his mettle...

 

[Abdullah719]

This has evolved into an incredible match... Some fantastic tennis by Medvedev in the last couple of hours.

 

[Abdullah719]

Nadal wins! Just barely! What a match!

 

[MenInG]

Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title after holding off Russian Daniil Medvedev's exhilarating fightback in one of the greatest US Open finals.

Spain's Nadal, 33, won 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 against the fifth seed in New York.

Nadal, seeded second, was cruising at two sets and a break up, only for Medvedev to force a decider.

But Nadal stopped his momentum to clinch a thrilling win in four hours and 50 minutes - just four minutes shorter than the longest US Open final.

Nadal's victory moves him within one of Swiss rival Roger Federer's all-time leading tally of Grand Slam victories.

"It has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career," Nadal said. "It has been an amazing final. It has been a crazy match."

After taking his third match point, Nadal collapsed to the court in celebration, covering his face as contemplated another famous victory which epitomised all of his fighting spirit.

Medvedev, 23, trudged around the net to warmly congratulate his opponent, who looked on the verge of tears as he hid behind his sweat-soaked vest while taking rapturous acclaim.

"I just want to congratulate Rafa, a 19th Grand Slam title is something unbelievable, outrageous," said Medvedev, who looked mesmerised as he watched a video montage of Nadal's achievements.

Those lucky enough to be watching among a near 24,000 capacity crowd were regularly left open-mouthed at what they witnessed, with the majority jumping to their feet and celebrating wildly after every point, helping create an electric atmosphere on a noisy Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Medvedev had been booed by the crowd earlier in the tournament, yet heard his name loudly chanted by many as he threatened to complete an extraordinary comeback.

Ultimately it was too late as he was unable to become the first man outside Nadal, Federer and Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic to claim one of the sport's biggest prizes since Stan Wawrinka's victory here in 2016.

Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have won the past 12 Grand Slams after the Spaniard lifted the trophy in New York for a fourth time.

Now Nadal has the chance to draw level with 38-year-old Federer, who was nine titles better off than his long-time rival in 2007, at the Australian Open in January.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/49629579

 

[Smbhayi]

A hard fought win, Rafa, Congrats..

 

[Smbhayi]

 

[Sachin136]

Nadal has a good chance of retiring with the most slams. He can probably get 2 more Roland Garros wins, and he'll enter next year's USO as the favorite.

 

[sweep_shot]

Congratulations, Nadal.

 

[The Viper]

Well done, Nadal.