Aggressive Anderson Returns To US Open QF

Aggressive Anderson Returns To US Open QF

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'It's been a great ride' – Sharapova beaten at US Open

Maria Sharapova’s first Grand Slam tournament in 19 months ended with defeat by Anastasija Sevastova in the US Open fourth round.

Latvia’s Sevastova, the 16th seed, won 5-7 6-4 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals in New York.

The 27-year-old will play Sloane Stephens in the quarter-finals, after the American beat Julia Goerges.

Sharapova, ranked 146th after returning from a doping ban in April, was given a wildcard into the main draw.

“It’s been a really great ride in the last week,” said the 30-year-old.

“I can take a lot from this week. It’s great to get that major out of the way. It was an incredible opportunity. I’m very thankful for the opportunity.

“I did my best. I can be proud of that.”

The 2006 champion had played just one match since May coming into Flushing Meadows, with injuries forcing her out of the grass-court season and US Open build-up.

She played superbly to upset world number two Simona Halep on the first day of the tournament, and then beat Timea Babos and Sofia Kenin on her way to the last 16.

• Day seven text coverage as it happened
• Live scores, schedule and results
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‘As long as I have that desire, I’ll be there’

Sharapova’s presence in the main draw divided opinion from the moment her wildcard was announced, but she was unperturbed as she racked up three wins in a row for the first time since her comeback in April.

The Russian was warmly received by spectators and organisers were happy to draw on her star power, putting her on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium for all four of her matches.

That decision was described as “questionable” by fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki, but Sharapova simply responded that scheduling was not her responsibility.

Asked after Sunday’s defeat if she felt as though she had a target on her back, Sharapova responded: “I feel like I’m really beyond that. I mean, there’s no other way to explain it.

“I think there’s only a way to show it on the court, because that’s what really matters to me.

“I have so many things in my life that I’ve already been able to experience, but there’s a desire to keep going for more, and to keep training and to keep living through these moments out on these courts.

“That’s special and that’s meaningful. As long as I have that desire, I’ll be there. That’s what’s important to me.”

I just kept fighting – Sevastova

Sevastova beat Garbine Muguruza and Johanna Konta on the Arthur Ashe Stadium 12 months ago, and the 5ft 5in Latvian’s defensive skills and ability to create angles ultimately derailed Sharapova.

“The first set was very close, it could have gone either way,” said Sevastova.

“She played unbelievably throughout the first and second set and I just kept fighting, running after every ball, and just stayed there.”

Sharapova ended the match with 51 errors to 42 winners as she pressed too hard in trying to break down Sevastova’s brilliant defence.

The Latvian went close to taking the first set after coming back from 4-1 down, but Sharapova clinched it with two magnificent forehands in game 12.

The momentum had already begun to swing though, and Sevastova would level thanks to a single break at 2-1 in the second – in one rally lobbing Sharapova twice, prompting the Russian to scramble left-handed in desperation.

A six-minute bathroom break ahead of the decider apparently did not have the desired effect as Sharapova quickly fell 3-0 down.

She had said after her opening match that “this girl has a lot of grit”, and it was in evidence as she cut the deficit to 3-2, but in the end Sevastova had too much.

Sharapova fought off three match points before a big first serve left the five-time major winner flailing at a return that flew wide after two hours and 17 minutes.

Analysis – a match too far for Sharapova

BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Sevastova carved out a hard-earned victory with some mighty defence, and clever use of the drop shot and slice to drag Sharapova into the net.

The Russian was outstanding in patches, but lost her way completely in the deciding set. Her forehand simply disintegrated, as she hit 18 unforced errors and just four winners.

Sharapova is projected to return to the world’s top 100 as a result of her run to the fourth round. She won three more matches than many thought she would after a summer disrupted by injuries, before a lack of match practice appeared to catch up with her.

And even though the US Open may not appreciate this just now, it is encouraging for the WTA Tour that a current top 20 player is able to close out victory over an opponent who may have won five Grand Slams, but has featured in only five events in the past 19 months.

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US Open: Venus Williams beats Carla Suarez Navarro to reach quarter-finals

Venus Williams booked her place in the US Open quarter-finals with a three-set victory over Carla Suarez Navarro.

The Spanish world number 35 capitalised on an error-strewn Williams display in the second set to level the match and take it to a decider.

But the 37-year-old American ninth seed recovered to win six games in a row and came through 6-3 3-6 6-1.

She will now face either Petra Kvitova or Garbine Muguruza, who beat Williams to the Wimbledon title in July.

• Sharapova knocked out by Sevastova
• Live scores and results
• Relive day seven as it happened

“The energy of the crowd here, it makes me feel I’ve got to hit a winner, I’ve got to hit an ace. I love it here,” she said in front of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

Williams has now progressed from the last 16 at Flushing Meadows 12 times since making her debut in 1997.

She has won the title on two occasions, beating Lindsay Davenport in 2000 and her younger sister Serena the following year.

“I don’t know how to explain my longevity,” said Williams. “If I did I would bottle it and sell it. My sister and my family motivate me a lot.

“I am focused on myself and being as aggressive as possible. Nobody gives you a Slam, you got to take it and I am trying to take it.”

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US Open 2017: Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal seek to reach quarter-finals

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will try to take another step towards a potential semi-final meeting on day eight of the US Open on Monday.

The pair, with 34 Grand Slam singles titles between them, have never played each other at Flushing Meadows.

Nadal faces Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov in the fourth round at about 18:00 BST, before Federer plays Philipp Kohlschreiber at 00:00 on Tuesday.

“I don’t think about who is there, who is not there,” said top seed Nadal.

“At the end of the day, if I play well I’m going to have my chances to fight for things. If not, I will not.”

• Match schedule, live scores and results
• Federer excited by form after efficient win
• Carreno Busta beats rising star Shapovalov

Karolina Pliskova opens Monday’s play against American Jennifer Brady at 16:00.

The Czech needs to at least reach the final if she is to hold on to her number one ranking.

“I just try to fight even if my game is not 100%, and it’s not 100% this week,” said Pliskova, who had treatment for an arm injury in the previous round.

“But I’m winning, so that’s the main thing.”

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Lindstedt/Thompson Reach US Open R3

Lindstedt/Thompson Reach US Open R3

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Carreno Busta beats rising star Shapovalov to reach US Open last eight

Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta overcame battling qualifier Denis Shapovalov to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time.

The world number 19 beat the 18-year-old Canadian 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) in an entertaining encounter.

Shapovalov, ranked 50 places below his opponent, hit eight aces and 54 winners as he pushed Carreno Busta all the way.

However, the 26-year-old 12th seed remained composed to dominate the three tie-breaks and reach the next round.

Carreno Busta will face either France’s Lucas Pouille or Argentine Diego Schwartzman next.

This is the second time he has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam after making the last eight of the French Open in June.

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Federer Hits Twin Hot Shots Vs Lopez US Open 2017

Federer Hits Twin Hot Shots Vs Lopez US Open 2017

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A Federer-Nadal SF? "We'll See" Says Roger

A Federer-Nadal SF? "We'll See" Says Roger

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Nadal criticises delay in banning Fognini for outburst

Rafael Nadal has criticised US Open organisers after they waited three days before suspending Italian Fabio Fognini for verbally abusing a female umpire.

Fognini, 30, used insulting language to Louise Engzell during his first-round defeat by compatriot Stefano Travaglia.

But the world number 26 played twice in the doubles before the Grand Slam board defaulted him on Saturday, saying they had to wait for a translation.

“Three days for that? I don’t think so,” world number one Nadal said.

“He has been out winning two matches since then. It is not the ideal situation. It would be much better to do it immediately, not three days later.”

Fognini apologised for his behaviour in a post on Twitter, saying: “I would apologise to you fans, [and] to the referee for what happened.

“It was just a very bad day, but it did not forgive my behaviour in the match. Although I’m a hot-head (and though I’ve been right in most circumstances) I was wrong. But in the end, it’s only a tennis game.”

• Federer ‘excited’ by form after beating Lopez
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A US Open tournament statement said he was provisionally suspended “pending a final determination whether a major offence has been committed”.

It confirmed Nicholas Monroe and John-Patrick Smith, who lost to Fognini and compatriot Simone Bolelli in the third round of the doubles, would take their place in the quarter-finals.

Fognini had already been fined a total of $24,000 (£18,500), which will be deducted from his $50,000 prize money for losing in the first round of the singles.

If he is found to have committed a major offence, Fognini could be fined up to $250,000 (£190,000) and potentially suspended from future grand slams.

At Wimbledon in 2014, the Italian was given the biggest penalty in the tournament’s history when he was fined $27,500 for throwing his racquet and arguing with an umpire and another official.

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Federer 'excited' by form after efficient win

Roger Federer was in clinical mood as he saw off Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in straight sets to join Rafael Nadal in the US Open fourth round.

The third seed, who came through five-set matches in the first two rounds, beat 35-year-old Lopez 6-3 6-3 7-5.

Five-time champion Federer, 36, goes on to face Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the last 16.

“I’m really excited how I feel after two five-setters,” the 19-time Grand Slam champion said.

“It was clearly nice to go up two sets to love for a change. Feels different from there.”

Top seed Nadal earlier beat Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 6-4 in three hours and 16 minutes.

With heavy rain halting play on the outside courts in the early evening, the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium stretched to almost 15 hours across the day.

Federer and Lopez did not get under way in the night session until 21:40 local time (02:40 BST) – almost three hours later than scheduled – and Madison Keys’ 2-6 6-4 6-1 win over Elena Vesnina ended at 01:46 local time.

• Nadal recovers from first-set loss to advance
• Thiem, Del Potro and Dolgopolov reach fourth round
• Live scores, schedule and results

‘I can finally focus on playing tennis’

Saturday’s night session began with the oldest match-up at the US Open since 40-year-old Jimmy Connors played 32-year-old Ivan Lendl in 1992.

Federer looked sharp, showing no sign of the back issue that disrupted his build-up to the tournament, and had been in his thoughts during his first-round match in New York.

The timing that was still absent in round two had returned for the most part – with just four backhand errors – and, one poor service game in the third set apart, he dispatched 13th seed Lopez efficiently.

“I needed to get over the fear of the back issue, especially in that first match, the first set,” said Federer. “Then I think the wobble I had in the second round was due to my preparation.

“I think now I’m just trusting my movement better. My serve is there. My mind is there. I can finally focus on playing tennis and not so much about the past.”

Early pressure told with a break in game six and the first set followed after just 25 minutes.

With almost 80% of the points played in under four strokes, it suited the attacking, first-strike intent that has marked Federer’s game during this stellar year.

A wayward Lopez volley saw the Swiss move ahead in the second and with 59 minutes on the clock he was two sets up.

The third was more testing as Lopez, trying for a first win over Federer in 13 attempts, took advantage of a loose service game to recover an early deficit.

He could not extend the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion into a fourth set, however, with Federer breaking serve in game 12 to clinch victory after one hour and 46 minutes.

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