Djokovic outlasts old rival Murray in quarter-final
Top seed sets up last-four clash with Nishikori, Serena through to semis.
NEW YORK:
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray to set up a US Open semi-final clash against Kei Nishikori, who became Japan’s first semi-finalist in almost a century on Wednesday.
World number one Djokovic, the 2011 champion, reached his eighth consecutive US Open semi-final by downing Murray 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-4, needing over two hours to get through the first two sets.
By the end, however, Murray was struggling with what appeared to be a recurrence of his long-standing back problem.
“We both gave our best and at times the tennis was not nice, but that was due to the intense physical battle in the first two sets,” said Djokovic.
“I didn’t expect anything less from Murray. Our last few matches have been three and four hours and he has a lot of quality on all sorts of surfaces.”
Murray, still without a title since his historic 2013 Wimbledon triumph, said that he struggled as the match wore on.
“I tried my best to hang in there in the fourth set but he was fresher than me or at least he appeared to be,” said Murray.
Djokovic and Nishikori are 1-1 in career meetings but their last clash was three years ago.
“It’s great for Nishikori and Japan for him to be in the semi-final. He serves and moves very well,” said the world number one.
Nishikori, 24, triumphed over Australian Open champion Wawrinka in four hours 15 minutes.
Ichiya Kumagae was the last Japanese man to reach the semi-finals of the US Championships in 1918.
“It feels amazing,” said Nishikori. “I am playing well and I hope to play at 100% in the semi-finals.”
Serena progresses, Azarenka ousted
Serena Williams roared back from an early deficit to defeat Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday and book a US Open semi-final clash with Ekaterina Makarova.
Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final of 2014, world number one Serena kept her bid for a third-straight US Open title – and sixth overall – alive as she stretched her perfect record over the 11th-seeded Italian to 6-0.
In Makarova she’ll face a first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
The 17th-seeded Russian advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over former world number one Victoria Azarenka — runner-up to Serena the past two years.
“I’m feeling amazing — finally I’m in a semi-final,” said the Russian left-hander, who had failed in four prior major quarter-finals. “It’s a great feeling.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray to set up a US Open semi-final clash against Kei Nishikori, who became Japan’s first semi-finalist in almost a century on Wednesday.
World number one Djokovic, the 2011 champion, reached his eighth consecutive US Open semi-final by downing Murray 7-6 (7/1), 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-4, needing over two hours to get through the first two sets.
By the end, however, Murray was struggling with what appeared to be a recurrence of his long-standing back problem.
“We both gave our best and at times the tennis was not nice, but that was due to the intense physical battle in the first two sets,” said Djokovic.
“I didn’t expect anything less from Murray. Our last few matches have been three and four hours and he has a lot of quality on all sorts of surfaces.”
Murray, still without a title since his historic 2013 Wimbledon triumph, said that he struggled as the match wore on.
“I tried my best to hang in there in the fourth set but he was fresher than me or at least he appeared to be,” said Murray.
Djokovic and Nishikori are 1-1 in career meetings but their last clash was three years ago.
“It’s great for Nishikori and Japan for him to be in the semi-final. He serves and moves very well,” said the world number one.
Nishikori, 24, triumphed over Australian Open champion Wawrinka in four hours 15 minutes.
Ichiya Kumagae was the last Japanese man to reach the semi-finals of the US Championships in 1918.
“It feels amazing,” said Nishikori. “I am playing well and I hope to play at 100% in the semi-finals.”
Serena progresses, Azarenka ousted
Serena Williams roared back from an early deficit to defeat Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday and book a US Open semi-final clash with Ekaterina Makarova.
Playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final of 2014, world number one Serena kept her bid for a third-straight US Open title – and sixth overall – alive as she stretched her perfect record over the 11th-seeded Italian to 6-0.
In Makarova she’ll face a first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist.
The 17th-seeded Russian advanced with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over former world number one Victoria Azarenka — runner-up to Serena the past two years.
“I’m feeling amazing — finally I’m in a semi-final,” said the Russian left-hander, who had failed in four prior major quarter-finals. “It’s a great feeling.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.