Roger Federer, looking to create history as the oldest Flushing Meadows champion, will face fellow countryman Stan Wawrinka in the US Open semifinals. Serena Williams is still on course to create tennis history.
The US Open semifinals have been confirmed in both the men’s and women’s singles events. Roger Federer booked his place to face Stan Wawrinka last night in an outstanding display against Richard Gasquet.
Five-time champion Federer showed a tennis master-class on Wednesday, strolling past Richard Gasquet to reach his 10th US Open semi-final. The 34-year-old, looking to become Flushing Meadows’ oldest champion in 45 years, took just 87 minutes to beat Gasquet for the 15th time in 17 meetings, his 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 score didn’t totally balance with Federer’s dominance.
The Swiss fired 50 winners, 16 aces and did not face a single break point on his way to victory. Federer hasn’t dropped a set at the tournament thus far and has been broken just twice. But facing Wawrinka – against whom he has a clear 16-3 career winning record – who defeated him in their last meeting in straight sets in the quarter-finals on his way to the French Open title in June, has Federer aware of what can happen.
“I faced the big serves of John Isner in the last round so I felt tonight I had a little extra time,” said second seed Federer. “I stayed aggressive and enjoyed myself.”
In the other men’s semifinal, world number one Novak Djokovic will face ninth seeded Croatian Marin Cilic, who beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a five-set grudge-match in the quarterfinals.
Williams heading for history
Serena Williams faces unfancied Italian Roberta Vinci in her semifinal on Thursday, as she continue her quest for history, looking to clinch her fourth consecutive US Open title, as well as a calendar-year Grand Slam sweep.
The 32-year-old Vinci, ranked 43rd, has come up short in the four previous meetings between the two, including the most recent last month in the quarter-finals at Toronto.
“She played me really tough, and I didn’t really expect that,” said Williams, who has won 53 of 55 matches this year and won the Australian, French and Wimbledon titles.
“I’m not going to underestimate her. She played really well. She’s not in the semi-finals of a grand slam for no reason. She knows what to do and she knows what to play.”
In the other women’s semifinal, second seed Simona Halep faces 26th ranked Flavia Pennetta. The Italian shocked fifth seed Petra Kivitova to win in three sets in their quarterfinal on Wednesday.
apc/ (Reuters, AFP)
