U.S. Open Day 9 after dark: Serena tops Venus; Djokovic advances

US Open Day 9 night session results: Serena Williams defeats sister Venus, Novak Djokovic vs. Feliciano Lopez

Author:
Stanley Kay
Publish date:
Sep 8, 2015

NEW YORK – Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus in three sets to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals. Check out the Day 9 day session recap here, and catch up with news and results from Day 9 after 7 p.m. at the U.S. Open below.

Serena gets past her sister Venus to advance to semis: In the most highly anticipated match of the tournament so far, Serena Williams defeated sister Venus 6–2, 1–6, 6–3, to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals.

The quest continues: Serena beats Venus to keep Grand Slam hopes alive

After No. 1 Serena won the first set 6–2, No. 23 Venus won a surprisingly lopsided second set, forcing a decider in the sisters’ fifth-ever meeting at the U.S. Open. But Serena took control early in the third set to reach the semifinals.

“[Venus] was at an unbelievable level today. Down to the match point it just was not easy,” Serena said after the match. “It's probably the toughest match I have played in a really, really, really long time where I wasn't actually beating myself.”

Serena finished the match with 35 winners and 22 unforced errors, while Venus recorded 24 winners and 15 unforced errors. Serena also tallied 12 aces to Venus’s eight.

“[Serena] has of course a wonderful mental game, but she also has ability to come up with a great shot when she needs it,” Venus said. “That’s just been the hallmark of her game.”

Serena’s victory improved her record against her older sister to 16-11, including a 3-2 mark at the U.S. Open.

Serena is aiming to become the first player to complete the calendar Grand Slam since Steffi Graf in 1988. Serena is also looking for her 22nd Grand Slam title, which would tie her with Graf for the highest total in the Open era.

After the match, the sisters exchanged a long hug at the net.

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Novak Djokovic advances to semifinals: Novak Djokovic probably isn’t used to being the undercard, but that’s what he was on Tuesday night. Despite taking the court to a stadium that had emptied out slightly after the Williams sisters finished, Djokovic and Feliciano Lopez played entertaining tennis, with Djokovic ultimately prevailing 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 7–6(2).

Lopez played quite well, nearly taking Djokovic to five sets, but ultimately the Spaniard’s unforced errors proved too costly. Lopez recorded 48 unforced errors compared to just 17 for Djokovic.

Djokovic has now made at least the semifinals in 21 of his last 22 Slams. Djokovic, who is looking to win his third Grand Slam this year, will face defending U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in the semifinal on Friday.

Donald Trump kissed John McEnroe’s hand: The front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination was one of several celebrities in the crowd to watch Serena play Venus. Trump was booed when he was shown on the jumbotron, but John McEnroe clearly was not among those partaking in the jeering.