 "Nihal Sarin holds joint lead, Gukesh held by Divya Deshmukh in FIDE Grand Swiss Round 8")
 "Time to put game above greed?: FIFA accused of ignoring fans over 2026 World Cup ticket pricing")
New York: Serena Williams will look to avenge a 2016 defeat at the Rio Olympic Games in Thursday’s US Open semi-final against Elina Svitolina as the American targets a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title. A run to the last four in New York, bookended by crushing routs of long-time foe Maria Sharapova and China’s Wang Qiang, brought up a century of US Open wins for Williams, chasing her first Slam crown since the 2017 Australian Open. Williams, who turns 38 later this month, holds a 4-1 career advantage over Svitolina, but the Ukrainian triumphed in their most recent encounter – a third-round clash at the Olympics in Rio. Svitolina, the 24-year-old Odessa native, has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows while taking out two-time former champion Venus Williams and 2017 runner-up Madison Keys. She is attempting to become just the second Ukrainian to play in a Grand Slam singles final – after Andrei Medvedev, who lost in five sets to Andre Agassi at the 1999 French Open. Bencic vs Andreescu No Swiss woman has won a Grand Slam singles title since Martina Hingis captured the 1999 Australian Open, but Belinda Bencic hopes to end that two-decade drought at the US Open. And with Swiss legend Roger Federer and his three-time Grand Slam-winning countryman Stan Wawrinka ousted in the men’s quarter-finals, Bencic has extra motivation entering Thursday’s semi-finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Bencic will face Canadian teen 15th seed Bianca Andreescu, a fellow Slam semi debutante, for the first time Thursday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She’s trying to become the first Canadian singles Grand Slam champion. Bencic, seeded 13th, has battled back from 2017 left wrist surgery and other injuries that slowed her career for most of two seasons, winning her third WTA title in February at Dubai. The is Bencic’s deepest Slam run, surpassing her 2014 US Open debut last-eight appearance, but it comes after having had to battle adversity. (With AFP inputs)
US Open 2019 Highlights, Belinda Bencic vs Bianca Andreescu, semi-finals tennis match: Andreescu sets up final with Serena
Catch scores and updates from US Open women’s semi-finals where Serena Williams took on Elina Svitolina and Bianca Andreescu faced Belinda Bencic.
)
“It’s surreal” – Bianca Andreescu. It is indeed.
Bianca Andreescu continues to inspire, building on her dream US Open debut. She now becomes only the second Canadian in the finals of a major, Add to that, the fact that she is a teenager, evidently well beyond her years. She’ll play the 36-year-old Serena Williams who’s looking for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. The women’s singles final can be billed as the future of women’s tennis taking on one of its most decorated veterans.
Thank you for tuning in to the live coverage of this match at firstpost.com.
We’ll be back tomorrow for the men’s singles semifinals.
Till then, goodbye.
What a moment for both players!
Bianca* 7-6, 7-5, Bencic
It’s all over. Bianca breaks again and advances to the finals in her debut US Open. You have to be feeling for Bencic. She did many things right but couldn’t hold on when faced with an unflinching determination from the Canadian teenager who’s been a template of stonewalling defensive play.
Bianca* 7-6, 6-5 Bencic
Bianca pockets the fourth game on the trot. This is inspiring play from the 19-year-old who is running away with the set and the match here. Bencic, who has looked the better player, more technically adept throughout, finds herself having to serve to save the match.
Bianca* 7-6, 5-5 Bencic
What a turnaround this has been from the Canadian. Three games on the trot and she brings the set on serve. Bencic looks up the heavens, lauds herself mockingly. She’s flustered and rightly so. Curious change-ups from the Canadian are bearing fruit here. She has started playing the backhand slice and advancing to the net for a change, even managing to land a couple of volleys.
Bianca* 7-6, 4-5 Bencic
Two games on the trot for Bianca who’s hanging in the second set. Bencic will serve for the set.
Bianca* 7-6, 3-5 Bencic
Bianca gets a couple of passing shots through her opponent who’s manning the net on occasion. She breaks too and keeps the set alive.
Bencic* 6-7, 5-2 Bianca
Bencic’s aggressive play deserves all the plaudits here. With every forehand, she takes a couple of steps to the net and the movement is chalked out perfectly as she anticipates Bianca’s returns well. The Canadian is on the run for those points, before the inevitable error off her racquet.
Bianca* 7-6, 2-4 Bencic
Bianca plays an angled crosscourt forehand to win the game. She gets a break back. Her first of the night.
Bencic* 4-1 Bianca
Both players returns have caught the tape of the net this game and the agony mounts. Every game is forcing the players to push their limits until Bencic converts the breakpoint. She is getting all that was due to her in the first set. The Swiss is ahead by a double break of serve. Bianca is struggling a bit physically here.
Bencic* 6-7, 3-1 Bianca
A comfortable hold for Bencic. She’s moving very well on the court, not keeping to the baseline for long but taking small steps to the net until the approach shot allows her to advance in a sure-footed manner and volley for the point.
Bianca* 7-6, 1-2 Bencic
A tame second serve from Bianca has Bencic playing a backhand winner down the line. Bianca can only look as the ball whizzes past her.
The Canadian brings up a game point but Bencic again, pushes her deep on the wrong side, forcing the error and taking the game to deuce. These rallies have to be taking a toll on both players. It does look like Bencic is holding up a bit better as Bianca is slow to get the points underway.
Bianca digs in, denying Bencic of what would have been a well-earned break of serve. Battles the deuce conundrum again, staves off the breakpoints and wins. Routine for her tonight.
Bencic* 6-7, 2-0 Bianca
Bencic is firing on all cylinders here. She doesn’t keep to playing down the middle but continually plays her forehands down both sides, sending Bianca scampering as she looks to return. The deep returns help Bencic approach the net and it rarely fails. She holds to love and is leading in the second set here.
Bencic* 6-7, 1-0 Bianca
Bencic finally gets the break of serve which had eluded her till now. The final point draws out a loud roar from her. She won’t rest easy here and Bianca is in the line of fire.
Bencic was one point away from taking the first set but it is Andreescu who is set away from the final.
Bianca* 7-6 Bencic
Bianca has raced away to a 4-0 lead. Having played catch up for the entire set, she’s now racing ahead and Bencic has to restrain herself from smashing her racquet.
Bianca commits a double fault but goes to the change of ends, leading 5-1 in the tiebreak.
The Canadian takes the first set in rather strange fashion and Bencic would be beating herself up. The Swiss looked the better player throughout, until the tiebreak where the Bianca drew the errors from her by stretching the rallies.
Bianca* 6-6 Bencic
Bianca battles back yet again. Lands her first serves at just the right time after Bencic had played a couple of great rallies, closing out the same with some precision volleys, advancing to the net at will. Frustrating for Bencic that she can’t get over the line, despite the many breakpoints.
Bencic* 6-5 Bianca
Bencic isn’t breaking a sweat here. Both players with contrasting playing styles. Bencic looking the stronger player by a mile here and yet, Bianca continues to draw level each time. It will be a shocker if Bianca ends up winning this first set.
Little to separate between the two
Bianca* 5-5 Bencic
A routine tough hold for Bianca but her grit pulls her through. Bencic always forcing her to play the extra ball and Bianca continuing to err in the process. Nevertheless, the Canadian is managing to draw level each time with a burst of energy. This thing could go into a tiebreak.
Bencic* 5-4 Bianca
Bianca makes Bencic work hard for her hold of serve. Nevertheless, the Swiss keeps pulling out the forehand winners at will. Bianca takes the game to deuce but Bencic wins the next two points rather easily. She has her nose in front here and it will be a tough task for Bianca to serve for staying in the first set.
Bencic looks the more technically sound player as she’s hitting her shots pretty cleanly, but full marks to Bianca for her grit.
Can’t help but feel that Bencic will be rueing the missed breakpoints here.
Bianca *4-4 Bencic
Bianca is being pushed to the brink here. Bencic draws to the net for the first point and while Bianca gathers a lucky point, the frame of her racquet helping her land the lob shot, she seems to have twisted her left knee a bit and is taking a limp here, shaking it off. It’s still her best service game of the night, closing out the game to love and drawing level.
Bencic* 4-3 Bianca
Bencic cruises through another service game. She serves down the ‘T’ and it doesn’t take long for Bianca to find the net. The Swiss keeps her narrow lead over the Canadian.
Bianca* 3-3 Bencic
Bianca swings wildly, lands her shots beyond the baseline. A couple of errors to start off her service game. Bencic’s return of serves are hurrying Bianca into committing errors. She faces a breakpoint before drawing level at deuce with an ace. The Canadian is looking a bit patchy here. An ace followed by a double fault. It’s a tough service game for her again but she manages to hold still, draws level by pulling off an Angelique Kerber like forehand winner on her haunches.
Bencic* 3-2 Bianca
Bencic is serving well and is playing well in front of the baseline, dictating play. Bianca manages to get a couple of points but it’s a comfortable hold of serve for the Swiss.
Bianca* 2-2 Bencic
Bianca starts off the game with a double fault. Both players trading blows which suggests what this match will be all about going ahead. When Bianca serves well, she can close out the rallies without much of a fuss. When she doesn’t serve well is when Bencic looks the better player of the two. The Swiss orchestrates the rallies beautifully before changing the direction of play and landing her winners. Bianca is often seen scurrying across, chasing returns down both sides of her court. Tough service game for her but she manages to hold somehow, closing out the game with a deceptive drop shot.
Bencic * 2-1 Andreescu
Bencic holds again and the match advances on serve. She manages to land her first serves but Andreescu returns well and stretches the rallies.
Bianca Andreescu* 1-1
Andreescu goes down on her knees to play a forehand off a deep return from Bencic. The 15th seeded Canadian gets on the scoreboard.
Bencic leads 1-0
A comfortable hold for the Swiss No 1. Bianca Andreescu just getting a feel of the court now.
Bencic to serve first
Bianca Andreescu won the toss and chooses to receive in this semi-final.
Final numbers from Serena vs Svitolina
Serena: 6 aces, 1 DF, 58% 1st serves in, 86% 1st serves in, 86% 1st serves won, 60% 2nd serves won, 74% returns in play, 6 of 6 break points saved, 34 winners, 20 unforced errors.
Elina: 5 aces, 4 DFs, 65% 1st serves in 57% 1st serves won, 41% 2nd serves won, 68% returns in play, 4 of 8 break points saved, 11 winners, 16 unforced errors.
For Svitolina…
A second straight slam semi-final and a second straight exit in a slam semi-final. She was beaten 1 and 3 by Halep at Wimbledon and 3 and 1 by Serena here. Halep went on to win the title (by beating Serena in the final), will Serena keep this theme going?
JOB DONE… FOR TONIGHT!
Record breaker Serena!