In the US Open quarterfinals, Coco Vandeweghe recorded an imposing 7-6(4) 6-3 victory over world No.1 and last year’s runner-up Karolina Pliskova to reach her second final four of a Grand Slam this season, whilst dethroning the Czech from the top of the WTA rankings and replacing her with Garbine Muguruza, who had lost to Petra Kvitova in the tournament’s fourth round.
The top-seeded Pliskova had come into the quarterfinals with a tournament-leading 31 aces, but added only two more today and it certainly didn’t help that Vandeweghe held serve more easily, winning 81% of points when she got her first serve in, and efficiently attacked her opponent’s serve. Pliskova did recover from 2-4 to 5-4 in the first set, when she even held a set point, but Vandeweghe forced a backhand error to save it and leveled to 5-all, eventually earning and edging a tiebreak.
The 22nd-seeded Vandeweghe got the better of three successive breaks in the second set and subsequently served her way to victory, becoming the third American in the 2017 US Open semis, joining Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens. If American Madison Keys beats Kaia Kanepi in the only remaining women’s quarterfinal, it would be the first time since 1981 that four women from the USA have made the last four in New York (Austin, Navratilova, Evert, Potter).
If Madison makes the semi (probably will) then I hope she beats Vandeweghe, she’s so annoying. Plus Madison’s recovery this year has been nice to see.
Sad for Karolina, but happy for Garbine! She’s been doing better compared to last year 🙂
Garbine will also create history as she will be World No. 1 along with Rafa Nadal next week. First time since 2003 that same country had the same World No. 1 in ATP and WTA.
SO SO Happy for Garbi! I’ve been waiting for this moment since 2014! Both my favourite players are dominating the sport , Spain is proud !