Announcer Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open | US Open
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[17] Serena Williams -26- (USA) def [19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT) | 63 60
Well, that was quick.
After breaking Serena to open the match, Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova won only two more games Thursday night, bringing an end to 11 tremendous days in Flushing. Last year, she narrowly missed the US Open Semifinals, falling to the eventual champion in a thrilling deciding-set tiebreak. This year, she scored a pair of top-10 wins, including a victory over the defending champ, to give herself a shot at the title.
Anastasija is a fascinating character. Veteran journalist Christopher Clary spent some time with the “Girl from the Middle of Nowhere.” Give it a read. You won’t be disappointed.
Meanwhile, “This Mama’s” story continues…for the 31st time. Serena Williams is now 15-1 since returning from maternity leave. Tonight marked Serena’s 36th career Grand Slam Semifinal. Her winning percentage in Major Semi’s over the decades: 86% (31-5). There are no words.
On Saturday, she will compete in her 31st Grand Slam Final. Her 9th at the US Open. Her winning percentage in US Open Finals: 75% (6-2).
Should she win, it will be Serena’s 7th US Open Singles title. She’ll eclipse Chris Evert and stand alone as the player who’s won more US Open titles than any other player during the Open Era. Only Molla Mallory, who captured her 8th US Open title in 1926, will own more victories at the season’s final Slam.
Additionally, Serena will finally join legend Margaret Court with 24 career Grand Slam Singles titles.
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa location-arrow”] NEXT: [17] Serena Williams -26- (USA) vs [20] Naomi Osaka -19- (JPN)
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[17] Serena Williams -26- (USA)
In 1999, at just 17-years-old, she won her first Grand Slam Singles title right here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating World #1 Martina Hingis in straight-sets. 19-years later, she owns the career Grand Slam with a record-shattering 23 Grand Slam Singles titles – the most of any player in the Open Era. Include her doubles success with sister Venus – plus two Mixed Doubles titles – and she is a 39-time Grand Slam Champion. The sport’s top-ranked player for an astounding 319-weeks – she owns 72 WTA Single titles, 4 Olympic Gold Medals, is a Fed Cup Champion; and last September – became a Mom for the first time. (Hold for applause) From Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – Please welcome 6-time US Open Champion…Serena Williams.
2018 US Open Road to the Semifinals:
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] SF: def [19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT) 63 60 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] QF: def [8] Karolina Pliskova -08- 64 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def Kaia Kanepi -44- (EST) 60 46 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Venus Williams -16- (USA) 61 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Carina Witthöft -101- (GER) 62 62 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Magda Linette -68- (POL) 64 60 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
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[19] Anastasija Sevastova -19- (LAT)
On Tuesday, she defeated defending champion Sloane Stephens; and tonight, is competing in her first Grand Slam Semifinal. In the 4th-Round, she took-out World #7 Elina Svitolina, and now owns 8 career wins over top-10 opponents. This Summer, she was a Finalist in Mallorca, then captured her 3rd WTA Singles title in Bucharest. Her’s is a story of remarkable perseverence. Having retired from the game 5-years-ago, she returned in 2015 with a fiery determination that catapulted her to a career-high ranking of #15 in the World. Competing in her 6th US Open, from Latvia – Please welcome…Anastasija Sevastova.
2018 US Open Road to the Semifinals:
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] QF: def [3] Sloane Stephens -03- (USA) 62 63 | Arthur Ashe Stadium
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R4: def [7] Elina Svitolina -07- (UKR) 63 16 60 | Grandstand
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R3: def Ekaterina Makarova -45- (RUS) 46 61 62 | Grandstand
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R2: def Claire Liu -158- (USA) 63 61 | Court 13
[vector_icon icon=”fas-fa check”] R1: def Donna Vekic -41- (CRO) 62 26 63 | Court 17
