308 & counting

New York, September 6 

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Serena Williams stormed into the US Open quarterfinals in record-smashing style on Monday by easing past Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova 6-2 6-3 to claim her record 308th Grand Slam match win.

The world No. 1 needed just 68 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court to overwhelm the 52nd-ranked Shvedova and surpass Roger Federer on the all-time list of matches won at tennis’s four blue riband events. “Oh wow, it is really exciting, this is where it all started so it is always so magical out here for me but 308 sounds pretty good,” Williams said after moving a step closer to a record seventh US Open title.

“I just think winning 308 matches in general is pretty awesome. For that to be in a Grand Slam is pretty cool.

“It’s a huge number. I think it’s very significant actually. I think it’s something that just really talks about the length of my career, in particular. I’ve been playing for a really long time.” 

It has been another dominating run into the last eight for the 34-year-old American, who has yet to be broken and has faced just one break point in four matches while never spending more than 68 minutes on court.

Shvedova did not put Williams under any stress and failed to even register one break chance the entire match against the 22-times Grand Slam winner. “I just feel like I’m going out there doing what I need to do,” said Williams. “I’m not overplaying, I’m not underplaying. I’m just trying to play my way into this tournament.” 

Next up for Williams is Romanian fifth seed Simona Halep, who beat 11th-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 7-5.

There are more Major milestones to be had if Williams can reach the winner’s circle again on September 10. A seventh US Open title would break the professional era record for career Grand Slam titles that Williams currently shares with Steffi Graf and leave her one behind all-time record holder Margaret Court.

“Everyone I play, they play a step up and above their ranking,” said Williams. “I think that’s one of the reasons I’m able to hang. Everyone I’m playing is playing like they’re number one. To me it doesn’t really matter who I play because I have to expect they’re going to play the match of their life.” 

Murray makes quick work of Dimitrov on Labor Day

It may have been the Labor Day holiday in the United States on Monday but Andy Murray came ready to work, demolishing Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 6-2 6-2 to storm into the quarterfinals.

With the year’s final Grand Slam entering its second week, Murray posted a statement win by dispatching the 22nd-seeded Bulgarian in a speedy two hours to signal he is well prepared to extend a dream summer that has included a second Wimbledon title and a second Olympic gold medal.

“It was definitely up there,” said Murray. “I played very well today with very few unforced errors and made it very tough for Grigor.” — Reuters

Sania-Strycova sail into quarters 

Sania Mirza and Barbara Strycova produced a solid performance against Nicole Gibbs and Nao Hibino to reach the women’s doubles quarterfinals. The Indo-Czech combine completed a 6-4 7-5 win in the third round match played yesterday. The seventh seeds play the top-seeded French duo of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic in the quarterfinals. Sania is the sole Indian left in the tournament after Rohana Bopanna and Leander Paes exited the competition with their respective partners. 

Upset corner

PLISKOVA stuns venus, JOINS ‘LAST EIGHT CLUB’ 

“That was the first thing my coach told me, since you are in the ‘last eight club’, you are going to have one extra badge every year,” Czech Karolina Pliskova said after beating Venus Williams 4-6 6-4 7-6(3). “Just excited to be there.”

Radwanska falls to teenager Konjuh 

Croatian teen Ana Konjuh avenged a Wimbledon loss with a stunning 6-4 6-4 upset of fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska. The 18-year-old, who won the 2013 US Open juniors title after claiming the Australian Open juniors crown, became the first Croatian woman to reach the quarterfinals at a US Open. “It’s been an incredible night,” Konjuh said. “This time I got revenge, so I’m really happy.”

Day 8 Highlights

Nishikori topples giant Karlovic

It was a David and Goliath clash of physical opposites, but the 6-foot-11 Ivo Karlovic’s tennis game, apart from his prodigious serve, was overshadowed by the skills of Kei Nishikori, more than a foot shorter at 5-10. Sixth seed Nishikori made just seven unforced errors en route to a 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) win against the 21st seed Croatian.

PLAYING BEST TENNIS 

Well, my game now I feel is the best that I had ever, because I feel strong on my body. I feel that I can control every tactic during the match. I can change. I’m able to the change the tactic when I need. I feel strong mentally, even if I have some bad moments during the matches. Simona Halep, Romanian 5th seed after beating Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2 7-5

SELF BELIEF KEY FOR SUCCESS 

Well, I was close to (being) retired before my third surgery, but after that I always believe in myself to come back in tennis. And after that, everything changed. I’m playing free. Juan Martin del Potro, Argentine wildcard after reaching last eight

Knee INJURY 

It was the knee. So, yeah, I had some problems with blisters, and maybe because of the compensation the knee started to hurt. But anyway, I’m going to do an MRI now in the next couple hours, and then I will have more information about it.  Dominic Thiem, eighth-seeded Austrian after retiring hurt against del Potro