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Friday 6 September 2019
1 more for 24: Serena Williams reaches U.S. Open final again

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — With
another U.S. Open final in
sight, and Grand Slam title
No. 24 within reach, Serena
Williams got past a slightly
shaky start and quickly took
control.
Williams turned in an
increasingly impressive
performance for a 6-3, 6-1
victory over No. 5-seeded
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in
their semifinal at Arthur Ashe
Stadium on Thursday night.
This will be Williams' fourth
final in the past six major
tournaments. She was the
runner-up at Wimbledon
each of the past two years,
losing to Angelique Kerber
in 2018 and to Simona
Halep in July.
And she was also the
runner-up, of course, a year
ago at Flushing Meadows,
losing to Naomi Osaka. Serena Williams, of the United States, returns a shot to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis
That final was, and forever championships Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in New York.
will be, overshadowed Associated Press
by Williams' extended career Grand Slam title to the final four at a major pretty dialed-in. this was going through her
argument with chair umpire match and most recent for the 24-year-old Svitolina, She launched serves at up mind: "What am I doing at
Carlos Ramos, who docked such appearance: It's who also got there at to 119 mph and saved all the net?! Let me get back
her a point, then a game almost exactly 20 full years Wimbledon in July. six break points she faced. to the baseline!'
— and was barred by the since she won the 1999 U.S. Right from the start, She smacked three return Maybe Svitolina, whose
U.S. Tennis Association from Open as a teenager. though, it was Svitolina winners in one game alone. one upset of Williams in five
officiating any matches Most importantly, if she who was steadier. She She revved up some of the previous matchups came
in this year's tournament can beat No. 13 Belinda earned three break points very best groundstrokes at the 2016 Rio Olympics,
involving her or her older Bencic or No. 15 Bianca in the opening game — but you'll see at angles a pool was just a bit too passive,
sister, Venus. Andreescu in Saturday's failed to convert one. In shark would appreciate, to content to say way back
So much of what Williams final, Williams will equal the second game, Svitolina the tune of a 34-11 edge in and try to chase down
does nowadays must be Margaret Court with 24 went ahead 40-love — yet winners. everything sent her way.
seen through the prism of Grand Slam singles titles, somehow got broken. She sprinted this way and Not the right approach.
tennis history, and that was the most in tennis history. In all, Svitolina held eight that, showing no trace of At least not against this
certainly the case this time. Court, though, won more game points across that any sort of lingering effect opponent, in this match,
Her 101st career match win than half of hers against opening pair, and was left from a rolled ankle earlier in on this day.By no means
at Flushing Meadows tied amateur competition with nothing to show for the tournament. was Williams perfect. She
Chris Evert's tournament before professionals were it. Quickly, it was 3-0 for As if for good measure, was awfully good, though,
record. allowed to play in majors Williams. Williams even threw in a which was more than
"It's just impressive, I guess," starting in 1968. If it wasn't as lopsided a serve-and-volley approach enough. It often is for her.
Williams said. "I don't think This was Williams' 38th performance as she put while facing break point at Just hasn't been in the three
about it. I just come out Grand Slam semifinal; she forth in a 6-1, 6-1 victory 3-1 in the first set — and, most significant matches of
here and do what I can." made it that far for the 10th over Maria Sharapova in naturally, it worked, thanks her comeback so far.
By getting to the final, appearance in a row at the first round or a 6-1, 6-0 to a swinging putaway. She'll get another shot at it
Williams set a record for Flushing Meadows. And it win over Wang Qiang in "Don't expect that again," Saturday.
longest gap between first was only the second time the quarterfinals, it was Williams said, joking that One more for 24.q

Kyle Berkshire wins World Long Drive Championship

THACKERVILLE, Okla. (AP) — Kyle The top-ranked Berkshire, from ting a 415-yarder on his seventh 397-yarder on his first attempt.
Berkshire won the World Long Drive Crofton, Maryland, played two attempt after missing the grid on In the women’s semifinals, Gar-
Championship on Wednesday seasons at the University of North the first six drives. Berkshire also cut ner topped Alexis Belton with a
night, beating two-time champion Texas. it close Tuesday night to reach the 346-yarder, and Meti beat Troy
Tim Burke with a 406-yard drive at South Africa’s Chloe Garner won quarterfinals, beating Tommy Hug Mullins with a 337-yard drive.
WinStar World Casino and Resort. the women’s title, beating three- with a 426-yarder on his final at- On Tuesday, Jeff Crittenden won
After Burke got to 374 on his eighth time champion Phillis Meti of New tempt after missing the grid with the Masters Division for the second
and final attempt in the final, Berk- Zealand with a 347-yard drive on his first seven. Burke, the 2013 and time in three years. The 48-year-
shire missed the grid on his first her fifth attempt. Meti, hitting first in 2015 champion, beat Canada’s old Crittenden, from, Greensboro,
three shots before nailing the win- the final, had a best of 344. Mitch Grassing in the quarterfinals North Carolina, beat defending
ner for his first world title and third Berkshire opened the night with at 414 and topped Sweden’s Emil champion Eddie Fernandes with a
tour victory of the season. a victory over Mark Costello, hit- Rosberg in the semifinals with a 388-yard drive.q