Sports

Serena bows out in style in last US Open hurrah

New York, United States, Sep 2 (EFE).- Home favorite and all-time great Serena Williams on Friday bid adieu to the US Open, in what could very well be her career’s last match, in style as she stretched Australian Ajla Tomljanovic to the limit in a cliffhanger that lasted over three hours, before her eventual defeat.

Williams, 40, saved five match points in the third-round encounter at the Arthur Ashe stadium, filled to the brim with spectators that cheered Serena at every point and gave her a heartfelt farewell after she lost 5-7, 7-6(4) and 1-6 to the Australian.

In a recent interview, the US legend had hinted that she could retire soon, possibly after the ongoing grand slam.

However, in her post-match interview on Friday night, Williams was non-committal about whether this was to be her last match.

Afterwards, social media exploded with former players and other celebrities posting messages hailing the tennis legend’s contribution.

Elsewhere in the women’s draw, 12th seed American Coco Gauff breezed past compatriot Madison Keys (6-2, 6-3), while Tunisian fifth seed Ons Jabeur was stretched to three sets by another American Shelby Rogers (4-6, 6-4, 6-3) in their respective third round matches.

In the men’s section, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, the World No. 1 and defending champion, sealed his tenth consecutive victory at the Flushing Meadows by crushing China’s Yibing Wu 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2.

Medvedev will now meet Australian Nick Kyrgios in a crucial round-of-16 encounter, as Kyrgios had beaten him recently in Montreal.

Twelfth seed Spaniard Pablo Carreno also booked his pre-quarterfinal berth with a four-set victory against Australia’s Alex De Miñaur, sealing the match by 6-1, 6-1, 3-6 and 7-6(5).

Carreno will be facing Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the next match.

Another Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also went through to the fourth round by beating Colombian Daniel Galán 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 and will now face Italy’s Matteo Berettini who beat British veteran Andy Murray 6-4, 6 -4, 6-7(1) and 6-3. EFE

am/ia

Related Articles

Back to top button