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US Open 2017: Venus Williams, Stephens, Vandeweghe and Keys aim for final

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches every day.

Two all-American semi-finals will take place on day 11 of the US Open as Venus Williams plays Sloane Stephens and Coco Vandeweghe faces Madison Keys.

It is the first all-US last four line-up at the tournament since 1981.

Williams, the 2000 and 2001 champion, and Stephens will be first on the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York at 00:00 BST.

Vandeweghe, seeded 20th, 15th seed Keys and unseeded Stephens are aiming to reach their first Grand Slam final.

  • Keys sees off Kanepi in straight sets
  • Vandeweghe beats Pliskova to make semis
  • Kvitova’s ‘amazing’ return to the court

Williams and Stephens both won final-set tie-breaks to reach this stage, against Petra Kvitova and Anastasija Sevastova respectively.

Vandeweghe overcame Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to join them, while Keys saw off unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi.

‘Venus is our leader’

Ninth seed Williams, 37, is the oldest semi-finalist at any Grand Slam since Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1994.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling, because you put in so much work to be able to succeed at these moments,” said Williams.

“It has been a great two weeks for American tennis, seeing all the American players in the draw and all of them advancing so deep and competing so well.”

Stephens, 24, added: “Making the semi-finals of a Slam is a complete neutraliser, anybody’s game. I just have to focus on myself.

“Venus is just our leader, everyone looks up to her. She’s a great player, a great person. She’s a great leader.”

Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Grand Slam when he triumphed at the 1968 US Open and Williams and Stephens will face each other on the court named after the three-time major winner.

“It’s great for American tennis,” said Stephens. “It’s great for African-American women. I hope that we keep it going.”

Williams, who reached the final at her first US Open in 1997, the same year the Arthur Ashe Stadium made its debut, added: “He’s a total legend.

“He played during a time where he couldn’t just focus on the tennis. I’m very blessed to be able to focus on my game. But he had to fight because of the colour of his skin.

“It was a completely different time. So I can’t even imagine the pressure he was under. To come out of it with grace, as a champion, it’s incredible.”

Vandeweghe’s ‘Jedi mind tricks’

Vandeweghe was the third American to reach the semi-finals after she saw off world number one Pliskova 7-6 (7-4) 6-3, knocking the Czech off the top of the rankings at the same time.

It is the first time the 25-year-old, who won the junior championship at Flushing Meadows as a 16-year-old in 2008, has reached this stage of the US Open.

Vandeweghe recently began working with Pat Cash and credits the 1984 men’s singles semi-finalist with helping her to keep calm on court.

“Maybe it’s like some Jedi mind trick,” said the 20th seed.

“I think the biggest thing is channelling my intensity and tenacity out onto the court and putting it into a singular focus. I think that’s probably one of the biggest things he’s implemented into my regimen.”

Keys completed an all-American final four for the first time in 36 years. Tracy Austin – who would go on to be champion – Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Barbara Potter were the last US quartet in the semi-finals.

The 15th seed beat former world number 15 Kanepi 6-3 6-3 in only one hour and eight minutes.

Keys, 22, is bidding to reach a first Grand Slam final with her run at Flushing Meadows this year matching her best performance in a major, when she reached the Australian Open semi-final two years ago.

“I have been taking this whole tournament one match at a time, one point at a time,” said Keys.

“I’m definitely not getting ahead of myself in that way.

“I’m really proud of getting here in the first place. I’m just going to keep focusing on the next match and then breaking it down from there.”

British pair into men’s semi-final

Meanwhile in the men’s wheelchair doubles, Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, who retained their Wimbledon title in July, have made it through to the semi-finals.

The second seeds will face the unseeded pair of Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda.

In the women’s wheelchair doubles, Britain’s Lucy Shuker and partner Yui Kamiji of Japan will take on USA’s Dana Mathewson and Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands in the semis.

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Federer: "I Wasn't In A Safe Place Against Del Potro"

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017

Federer: "I Wasn't In A Safe Place Against Del Potro"

Sep072017

Swiss sums up defeat to the Argentine

“It should hurt, and it does,” admitted Roger Federer in the aftermath of his four-set defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday night.

The Swiss, whose preparations for the final Grand Slam championship of the year were disrupted by a back injury this summer, bowed out of the US Open without the chance to fight Rafael Nadal for the No. 1 ranking in Friday’s semi-finals.

You May Also Like: DelPo Upsets Federer; Now For Nadal…

But it is one disappointment in a season of many highs for Federer, who won his 18th and 19th major titles at the Australian Open (d. Nadal) and Wimbledon (d. Cilic). Considering where he was this time last year, injured and unable to play for the second half of the season, it is with clear perspective that Federer was able to process the defeat.

“Of course, you’re always disappointed when you lose in the very moment,” said Federer. “It’s terrible to think of what lies ahead, packing bags, going home. It’s just annoying as a tennis player. It’s just not the fun part. You’d rather think about how you’re going to relax tonight and have a massage and think about the match, think about the great shots you hit.

“Now you see all the bad stuff. And it’s just not so much fun. It should hurt, and it does, rightfully so. But, I think my perspective at this age and with the season that I have had is easier to grasp faster. So I’ll be fine quickly.

“It’s all a bonus at this stage,” continued the 36-year-old Federer. “I’ve had a wonderful year. I can’t win them all. You run into guys who are better than you on the night. Juan Martin fought like a lion, so it’s fine there. I’m upbeat about what’s to come.”

First hampered by his back in defeat to Alexander Zverev in the Coupe Rogers final in Montreal, Federer was then forced to withdraw from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in a bid to make sure he would be fit for the US Open. It denied him the chance to go up against Nadal for the No. 1 ranking and also sewed seeds of doubt into his mind going into the US Open.

The right-hander fought his way through two five-setters against Frances Tiafoe and Mikhail Youzhny in the first two rounds, but appeared to have settled into the tournament with straight-set wins over Feliciano Lopez and Philipp Kohlschreiber to reach the last eight. However, Federer admitted he never felt in control of his own destiny, especially against del Potro, who had beaten the Swiss in the 2009 final at Flushing Meadows.

“It was one of those matches where if I ran into a good guy, I was going to lose, I felt,” confessed Federer. “I don’t want to say I was in a negative mindset, but I knew going in that I’m not in a safe place. Might have depended too much on my opponent, and I don’t like that feeling. I had it throughout the tournament, and I just felt that way every single match I went into.

“I didn’t have that feeling at Wimbledon or at the Australian Open, and that’s why rightfully so I’m out of this tournament, because I wasn’t good enough, in my mind, in my body, and in my game to overcome these three pillars.

“If you’re missing all three, it’s going to be tough. I’m okay with it, and I tried until the very end. And smashing certain stuff in the net that I normally wouldn’t, smashing forehand volleys into the back fence, I mean, that stuff sucked. Honestly, it was terrible. Juan Martin did well. He served well, had some big shots when he needed to. That was the part that he did so much better tonight, and that’s why he deserves to win.”

The season is far from over for Federer, though. After the chance to rest his body, the Swiss will look to go full throttle in his last four tournaments – in Shanghai, Basel, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals in London –  to attempt to finish the season on a high note, and maybe even wrest the No. 1 spot from Nadal’s grip.

“I regret that I didn’t get the opportunity to fight for World No. 1 in Cincinnati,” said Federer. “But that’s maybe also part of the process, and I’ll be fine even without No. 1. I have had a great year thus far.

“I have big priorities for the rest of the year, and I usually play very well towards the end. Now I just really need to recover and go back to the practice courts and hopefully just finish strong. Whatever that may be, I just want to play good tennis and enjoy myself.”

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Beaten Federer never felt 'in safe place'

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches every day.

Roger Federer said he never felt “in a safe place” physically or mentally during a US Open campaign that ended with defeat by Juan Martin del Potro.

The Argentine 24th seed won their quarter-final 7-5 3-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 in Wednesday’s night session.

Third seed Federer had struggled with a back injury in the build-up to New York and confirmed he never felt 100% fit.

“It was one of those matches where if I ran into a good guy I was going to lose, I felt,” said the Swiss, 36.

“I don’t want to say I was in a negative mindset, but I knew going in that I’m not in a safe place. It might have depended too much on my opponent – and I don’t like that feeling.

“I had it throughout the tournament, and I just felt that way every single match I went into.”

Federer has enjoyed a stellar year, ending his five-year wait for a Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and adding an eighth Wimbledon victory in July.

The 19-time major champion added: “I didn’t have that feeling at Wimbledon or at the Australian Open, and that’s why rightfully so I’m out of this tournament.

“I wasn’t good enough in my mind, in my body and in my game to overcome these three pillars.”

  • Del Potro stuns Federer in four sets
  • Nadal thrashes Rublev to reach semis
  • Keys makes it all-American semi-final line-up

Having skipped the French Open, Federer arrived at Flushing Meadows unbeaten in Grand Slam matches and with just three defeats all year.

However, the back injury he picked up in Montreal last month disrupted his preparation, and two five-set matches in the first two rounds suggested he was not at his best.

The defeat by 28-year-old Del Potro ended Federer’s hopes, for now at least, of winning a 20th Grand Slam title and taking the number one ranking from Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

“It should hurt, and it does, rightfully so,” said Federer. “But I think my perspective at this age, and with the season that I have had, it’s easier to grasp faster, so I’ll be fine quickly.”

The Swiss had his chances against Del Potro, notably four set points in a dramatic third set tie-break that could have swung the match in his favour.

“I’m OK with it, and I tried until the very end,” he said.

“Smashing certain stuff in the net that I normally wouldn’t, smashing forehand volleys into the back fence, I mean, that stuff sucked. Honestly, it was terrible.

“Juan Martin did well. He served well, had some big shots when he needed to. That was the part that he did so much better tonight – and that’s why he deserves to win.

“I feel I have no place in the semis and he will have a better chance to beat Rafa, to be honest.”

The result not only brings his Grand Slam season to an end but it denies the Flushing Meadows crowd a first meeting between Federer and 15-time major champion Nadal.

It is the sixth time in 10 years that they have missed out by one match on seeing the great rivalry play out in New York.

“I didn’t even think about it as I lost that match,” said Federer.

“I’m dealing with just trying to understand what happened and just to overcome this in the next few hours, days, weeks, whatever it is. I’ll be fine.

“Of course it is a pity, but Juan Martin deserves it more.”

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Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

Federer says he hasn’t felt well enough in either body or mind over the past fortnight, his confidence affected by the back injury which hindered his preparation.

He looked an unlikely champion when labouring to five-set victories in the opening two rounds and when faced by a competitor like Del Potro he was made to look very uncomfortable and very uncertain.

There were some spectacular misses by Federer, who too often presented himself at the net and invited Del Potro to pass him with his fearsome forehand. The Argentine took Federer up on his offer repeatedly, and served consistently well throughout the match.

And so Federer’s attempt to win three Grand Slams in a year for the first time in a decade has ended at the quarter-final stage.

The ever popular Del Potro, who has had wrist surgery four times since winning the title here in 2009, is one win away from a return to the final of his favourite Grand Slam.

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Del Potro stuns Federer in four sets to make semis

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches every day.

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro stunned Roger Federer in four sets to reach the US Open semi-finals.

The 24th seed won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 to reach the last four, thrilling his large contingent of supporters in New York.

He goes on to face top seed Rafael Nadal, who earlier beat Russian teenager Andrey Rublev.

Del Potro’s victory means Federer and Nadal will end another year having never played each other at the US Open.

Top seed Nadal is now also guaranteed to keep hold of the number one ranking ahead of Federer.

  • Nadal thrashes Rublev to reach semis
  • Keys makes it all-American semi-final line-up
  • Murray likely to miss rest of season

It is the sixth time the pair have been one match from meeting at Flushing Meadows, and their potential semi-final clash had dominated headlines throughout the tournament.

However, an out-of-sorts Federer was no match for Del Potro, who returned 48 hours after his epic five-set win over Dominic Thiem to produce another thrilling victory.

“I honestly was only thinking about tonight,” said Federer, 36.

“My head didn’t even wander during the match. I knew it was going to be a tough one.”

Del Potro, 28, beat Federer to win his only Grand Slam title in New York in 2009, and eight years later he delivered another blow to the 36-year-old on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I think I played my best match of the tournament,” said the Argentine.

“I played everything well. My serve was good, I hit my forehands as hard as I possibly could.

“This is my home court too. The fans make me feel happy every time I play here. I hope against Rafa the crowd will be cheering for me again.”

‘I can’t believe I am back’

The Del Potro forehand is among the biggest weapons in the game but his backhand, which has been hampered in recent years after four wrist surgeries, held up superbly.

After the pair split the first two sets with a break apiece, the match turned on a gripping third-set tie-break in which Federer saw four set points slip by.

Del Potro would not be so profligate, hammering a magnificent backhand on his first chance to clinch the set, drawing a huge roar from the Argentine and his supporters high in the stands.

A desperate Federer smash into the bottom of the net drew gasps from the crowd as he offered up a break point at 2-2 in the fourth, which Del Potro snapped up with another blistering backhand return.

Federer’s evening ended with him taking evasive action at the net from a massive Del Potro forehand, and then swinging a wild volley way over the baseline when threatening to break back.

It was Del Potro’s night and, four years after his last Grand Slam semi-final, he closed out the match after two hours and 51 minutes to set up a chance at a second US Open crown.

“I don’t know what the turning point was, maybe I got lucky,” he said. “I can’t believe I am back after all my injuries and surgeries.”

‘I ran into a guy who was better’

The final match statistics were not bad for Federer but he was unexpectedly hesitant, making errors at key moments as he lost his first Grand Slam match of the year.

Having picked up a back injury in the build-up to the US Open, Federer then had to come through two five-set matches in the first two rounds.

“I had struggled too much throughout the tournament to think too far ahead,” he said.

“In some ways I’m actually happy I made the quarters, so I’m not disappointed, because it’s been a good run this year already.

“Unfortunately I ran into a guy who was better than me today.”

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Federer & DelPo Split First Two Sets

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017

Federer & DelPo Split First Two Sets

Sep072017

Federer boasts a 16-5 record against del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro took the first set 7-5 against Roger Federer in their blockbuster US Open quarter-final before the 19-time Grand Slam champion stormed back to take the second 6-3 to level the match.

Cheered on by a boisterous Flushing Meadows crowd, del Potro has brought his A-game, underpinned by his booming serve and forehand, which had Federer on the defensive early.

Both players exposed their pre-match game plans from the outset. Del Potro clubbed a massive down-the-line forehand winner past an approaching Federer on the second point of the match. He also hit forehands about 75 per cent of times after a serve.

The Swiss hit three drop shots in the first eight points in an attempt to test the legs of del Potro following his grueling five-set win two days earlier against Dominic Thiem.

Perhaps unsettled by a 100 mph forehand winner that clipped the baseline on the previous point, Federer double faulted at 5-5 30/30 to concede the first break point of the match. A tentative Federer forehand volley set up a trademark running del Potro crosscourt forehand that clinched the break and a 6-5 lead for the 6’ 6” Argentine.

Showing no sign of nerves, Del Potro put four of five first serves into play when serving for the set, on pace with the astonishing 78 first-serve percentage in the set (25/32).

Federer had success at key moments in the second set bringing del Potro forehand with his short, chip sliced backhand, including to convert break point for a 4-1 lead. He also had more success finding the Argentine’s backhand, setting up an inside-out forehand winner on set point to level the match. Del Potro also paid the price for seeing his first-serve percentage drop to 57.

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Vandeweghe beats Pliskova to make US Open semis

  • Posted: Sep 07, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches every day.

Coco Vandeweghe ended Karolina Pliskova’s reign as world number one as she reached the US Open semi-finals with a straight-set win.

The 20th seed won 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in the last eight at Flushing Meadows.

Vandeweghe, 25, goes on to face compatriot Madison Keys in the last four in New York.

Keys’ victory over Kaia Kanepi ensured the first all-American semi-final line-up at the US Open since 1981 with Venus Williams facing Sloane Stephens.

  • Nadal thrashes Rublev to reach semis
  • Kvitova’s ‘amazing’ return to the court
  • Murray likely to miss rest of season

“I watched the match last night with Venus,” said Vandeweghe.

“She said it best, we have to admire Serena. They all inspire me to be the next best American.”

Pliskova, 25, needed to reach the final to hang on to the number one ranking, but defeat means she will be replaced by Spain’s Garbine Muguruza in the new standings next week.

“I mean, I don’t care,” she said afterwards.

“I don’t think something is going to change if you are number two. Like, I don’t see any difference between this. So for me, no changes.”

‘I always dreamed of being on the main stage’

Vandeweghe had said beforehand that it would be a match of “first-strike” tennis between two of the best servers and biggest hitters in the game, and the American proved the more clinical.

She won 56% of the rallies under four strokes, which accounted for the vast majority as both women looked to back up heavy serves with quick winners.

Vandeweghe capitalised on a poor service game from Pliskova with a fizzing forehand return to break for 2-1, but her early calm ended abruptly in game eight.

Two double faults in succession prompted an angry racquet smash from the American and moments later Pliskova swung a forehand winner into the corner to break back.

There were signs that the Vandeweghe backhand was beginning to falter but another heavy forehand return gave her a break at the start of the tie-break, and she served it out clinically from there.

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Pliskova had come into the match with a tournament-leading 31 aces, but the Czech would add only two more as she struggled to establish control.

Vandeweghe got the better of three successive breaks in the second set and, urged on by coach Pat Cash in the stands, served her way to victory in one hour and 35 minutes.

“Even though we’re out here individually, it’s really a team sport,” Vandeweghe told the crowd. “The team work as hard as I do.

“When I won this event as junior at 16 I always dreamed of being on the main stage. It is a process and here I am. I couldn’t wish for anything better.”

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Nadal cruises past Rublev to reach semi-finals

  • Posted: Sep 06, 2017
US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 28 Aug-10 Sept
BBC coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches every day.

Top seed Rafael Nadal swept past Russian teenager Andrey Rublev to set up a possible US Open semi-final against Roger Federer.

Nadal, 31, saw off 19-year-old Rublev 6-1 6-2 6-2 in one hour and 37 minutes under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof.

The Spaniard will face Federer for the first time in New York if the Swiss beats Juan Martin del Potro.

Federer and Del Potro meet in the last quarter-final at about 02:00 BST on Thursday.

“It’s strange we’ve never played here,” said Nadal.

  • Vandeweghe beats Pliskova to make semis
  • ‘Always a pleasure to play the greatest’ – Federer-Del Potro preview
  • Kvitova’s ‘amazing’ return to the court
  • Murray likely to miss rest of season

“Of course it is a match I want to see. Two great players and I will be waiting for Roger or Juan Martin.”

Rublev was the youngest man since Andy Roddick in 2001 to reach the last eight, and he was overwhelmed by the world number one on his Arthur Ashe Stadium debut.

It was the first meeting between a 30-something and a teenager at this stage of a Grand Slam since 19-year-old Pete Sampras beat 31-year-old John McEnroe in the 1990 US Open semi-finals.

This time around, it was experience that told.

Nadal’s return dominated as he broke serve seven times, winning a crushing 71% of points on the Rublev second serve, and the Russian grew increasingly frustrated as seven double faults further hurt his chances.

The teenager did peg Nadal back early in the first set and had two break points to get back on terms in the second, but the top seed was never seriously threatened.

Four games in a row wrapped up the first set 23 minutes and a forehand winner brought Nadal a similarly one-sided second after 58 minutes.

Rublev battled gamely to cling on through six break points at 3-1 down in the third, but for the third time in the match he eventually succumbed with a double fault on a break point, tossing his racquet away in disgust.

“It happened to me, when I was 18, 17 and playing on the tour against players I admired from the TV,” added Nadal.

“It’s great to have a new generation coming. He is one of the players that has a great future and I wish him all the very best.”

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Nadal Sweeps Past Rublev Into Semis

  • Posted: Sep 06, 2017

Nadal Sweeps Past Rublev Into Semis

Sep062017

Spaniard awaits Federer or del Potro

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal was a man on a mission as he advanced to his sixth US Open semi-final on Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Andrey Rublev.

“It was a good match,” said Nadal in his on-court interview with ESPN. “Andrey was playing in his first quarter-final and he played with more mistakes than usual. It’s an important victory for me, winning past two matches in straight sets is very good news for me. I’m very, very happy to be in the semi-finals again in New York. It’s very important to me and I’m very excited to have this opportunity again.”

Looking to win his third US Open crown and maintain his grip on the top spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Nadal goes on to face either Roger Federer or Juan Martin del Potro in his 26th Grand Slam semi-final on Friday. Should he play Federer, the No. 1 ranking would be on the line.

Nadal has a 3-2 record in US Open semi-final appearances, going on to make the final against Novak Djokovic three times, beating the Serbian in 2010 and 2013 and finishing runner-up in 2011. The Mallorcan is looking to win his second Grand Slam championship of the season, after capturing La Decima at Roland Garros (d. Wawrinka).

With Pablo Carreno Busta set to face Kevin Anderson in the semi-final in the bottom half of the draw, it is the first time that two Spaniards have reached the US Open semi-finals.

The Spaniard was in awesome form against the 19-year-old Rublev, battering the first-time major quarter-finalist into submission to prevail in one hour and 36 minutes. The match went by in the blink of an eye for Rublev, who had earned his spot in the last eight after victories over seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov and ninth seed David Goffin.

The youngest US Open quarter-finalist since Andy Roddick in 2001, Rublev had dazzled with his aggressive play leading into the match, but while he showed flashes of brilliance on the forehand side, the Russian was rarely allowed the opportunity to show the Arthur Ashe crowd what he was capable of.

The formidable Nadal dictated the majority of rallies winning almost double the amount of points as Rublev (92-53). The left-hander converted seven of the 18 break points he created and won 84 per cent of points behind his first serve.

Rublev’s run in New York sees the Russian rise to second in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan, placing him in a very strong position to qualify for the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals. The Muscovite will resume his qualifying campaign when he returns to action on the ATP World Tour in St. Petersburg in two weeks. 

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