Explorer

US Open 2016: Serena Williams survives Simona Halep scare, reaches semis

New York: Serena Williams fended off a determined challenge from Simona Halep, downing the fifth-seeded Romanian 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the US Open semi-finals. World number one Williams, seeking a record seventh US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam crown, fired 18 aces en route to the triumph last night, which set up a meeting with first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturday's championship match. But she made her task against the 2014 French Open finalist harder with 43 unforced errors and Halep, firing on all cylinders from the baseline took advantage. The Romanian became the first player in the tournament to break Williams's serve, and the first to take a set off the top seed. But after failing to convert any of a dozen break points in the second set, Williams regained control in the third with a break for 3-1 and steamed home from there. "I knew I could play a lot better," Williams said of her frustration in a second set that lasted 65 minutes. "She kept going for her shots -- she stepped it up." Williams's semi-final against Pliskova promises more fireworks. The 10th-seeded Czech leads the WTA tour in aces this year. After surviving a match point en route to a fourth-round victory over Venus Williams, Pliskova beat 18-year-old Croatian Ana Konjuh 6-2, 6-2. "I'm so excited to be in my first semi-final," said Pliskova, who had failed to make it out of the third round in 17 prior Grand Slam appearances.
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

Hardeep Puri Schools Rahul Gandhi For 'Ill-Researched Comment' On Mukesh Dalal's Unopposed Lok Sabha Win
Hardeep Puri Schools Rahul Gandhi For 'Ill-Researched Comment' On Mukesh Dalal's Unopposed Lok Sabha Win
President Raisi To Visit India Soon, Hopes India Resumes Oil Trade, Says Iran Envoy Elahi
President Raisi To Visit India Soon, Hopes India Resumes Oil Trade, Says Iran Envoy Elahi
Facing Flak Over 'Infiltrators' Remark Against Muslims, PM Modi Reiterates Claim Against Manmohan Singh
Facing Flak Over 'Infiltrators' Remark Against Muslims, PM Modi Reiterates Claim Against Manmohan Singh
SC Asks Ramdev Why Patanjali's Apology Not Same Size As Misleading Ads, Poses Tough Questions To Centre
SC Asks Ramdev Why Patanjali's Apology Not Same Size As Misleading Ads, Poses Tough Questions To Centre
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Watch To Know What Amit Shah Says About BJP Position In West BengalLS Polls: 'Congress Manifesto Talks About Implementing Sharia Law' UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says In AmrohaDelhi Excise Policy: First insulin shot provided to Kejriwal after the arrest claims AAP | ABP NewsLok Sabha Election 2024: In Rajasthan's Tonk PM Modi Lashes Out At Congress Once Again | ABP News

Photogallery

Embed widget