Serena Destroys Wang To Reach 13th US Open Semifinal, Will Face Svitolina

by Staff | September 3rd, 2019, 11:45 pm
  • 11 Comments

Serena Williams had no issues with her ankle and no issues with Qiang Wang demolishing the Chinese No. 1 6-1, 6-0 to reach her 13th US Open semifinal and earn her 100th career US Open win.

The 42-minute blowout Tuesday night was the quickest of the tournament. And Serena won 50 of the 65 points played against Wang who was making her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut.

“It feels good,” Serena said. “It feels like, okay, this is what I’ve been training for. This is how hard I’ve been working. It feels like, you know, hard work pays off when that happens.


“I’ve been working on my speed, getting shots. I didn’t give her too many chances in the match.”

Wang upset No. 2 Ashleigh Barty on Sunday and given her Top 20 status, was thought to be a contender in her Ashe debut.

“The biggest court in the world,” Wang said. “It’s a little bit tight for me. Against Serena, she do lot of pressure to me. So is not easy to play against her.”

Serena will take on Elina Svitolina Thursday night. Earlier in the day, the Ukraine dismissed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first US Open semifinal.

“Not every day you’re playing quarterfinal of the Grand Slam,” the 24-year-old Svitolina said. “And to win that, it’s something special. Just very happy the way I handled the pressure.”

After not making a Grand Slam semifinal in her first 25 or so attempts, she’s now made two straight.

“I don’t think that I was expecting going into this tournament that I’m going to make semis,” Svitolina said. “I’m just taking one match at a time, not rushing so much of the results or what should have or could have happened.

“It’s a Grand Slam. There is lots of pressure, lots of expectations from people, from media probably. But you also put lots of pressure on yourself.

“You have to just go out there, do your job and don’t think too much what’s going on around you, and who handle it the best wins.”

Konta was trying to reach the semifinals at all four Slams. She remains winless against the World No. 5.

“I have played her three times or four, I think. Haven’t beat her yet,” Konta said. “I do feel that was the probably the best I felt her play against me. She played so well, to be honest.

“Actually, I didn’t play badly at all. I actually felt like I was doing a lot of good things out there, a lot of the right things.

“She just made me play that extra ball. I mean, it’s frustrating. You know, I would have loved to have come through that and come through a challenge like her, but I guess it will just have to be next time.”

Serena has won four of five against Svitolina, losing their last meeting at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“She is obviously a fighter,” Serena said. “She gets a lot of balls back. She doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She’s one of those players that does everything really well. So I have to do everything well, too.”

Tomorrow, four new faces to this stage in New York take the court. Belinda Bencic meets Donna Vekic and then at night Bianca Andreescu battles Elise Mertens. All four are bidding for a first US Open semifinal. Only Mertens has been past a Slam quarterfinal before.


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11 Comments for Serena Destroys Wang To Reach 13th US Open Semifinal, Will Face Svitolina

Andrew Miller Says:

Svito is playing well. Might catch Serena.


Andrew Miller Says:

Only Nadal remains of big three! No other big 3 or Stan made it to the semis. It’s Medvedev, Dimitrov, and then Nadal vs Schwartzmann and Monfils vs Berretini.


Wog Boy Says:

Meanwhile, Ana Ivanovic gave birth to her second son, now Luka has little brother, she lives in Chicago since 2016 where Bastian plays for Chicago Fire.
I wander if they are going to play football or tennis?;)


Daniel Says:

I want Serene to get #24 right away and take the burden off of her. she lost last 3 Slams finals, now its time to relax and play her best.

She has the advantage of a 1st Slam finalist and not as hot as osaka was last year. Can not see she losing if in finals this time.


RZ Says:

Daniel, I hope so too. She’s been so close with little match play, it would be good to see her pass that final hurdle. Plus would be amazing to have another mom win a GS. (Could happen on the doubles side too, with Azarenka still in with Barty). But I think if she ends up playing Andreescu in the final, I would put her chances at 50/50. And I think Bencic would have a decent shot too. However, Serena first has to get by Svitolina. The GEMS duo has come to play at this Open!


Wog Boy Says:

High quality match, congratulations Bianca, I feel for Mertens.
Bianca is right “get your sh!t together” is what she told herself after first set, I like her attitude:)


Van Persie Says:

See now Bibi needed 3 sets, glad she made it. Hope she has energy left for toninght.


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
Mertenes played really high quality tennis, she was winning baseline rallies, Bianca changed the tactics in the second set, started to mix up and drop shots whenever she could, she was bringing Mertens to the net for the difference of the first set and it payed off.
She has tennis brain.


Van Persie Says:

WB,

Regarding Bastian and Ana, really glad for them, they look really beautiful together :)


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
He is madly in love with her, so is she with him.
When they started their relationship he bought apartment floor below Ana’s in Belgrade just to be with her when in Belgrade but yet was uncomfortable to be where her parents in the same apartment :)
When he played for Bayern he ordered special shoes with Serbian flag on and played Bundesliga matches wearing those shoes to impress Ana:)
He is extremely likeable man with his genuine broad smile.
They deserve to have each other…though Ana has to wear flat shose most of the time when they are together;)


Wog Boy Says:

Regarding Bibi, she has tennis brain, she was losing baseline rallies and lost first set.
She changed her game in second, started to mix it up and bring Mertens on the net when ever she could, drop shot after drop shot, Mertens didn’t have the answer.
I really enjoyed the match.
Everything on display and Mertens is very likeable person .

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