Wawrinka, DelPo into US Open quarters

Hard-hitting Czech Karolina Pliskova toppled two-time champion Venus Williams 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) on Monday to reach her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open.

Juan Martin del Potro’s summer renaissance has continued with the unseeded Argentine advancing to the US Open quarter-finals when Austrian eighth seed Dominic Thiem quit their match with an injury.

The second set was more competitive, with Suarez Navarro playing solidly from the baseline.

In Saturday’s first completed match, Spain’s Carla Suárez Navarro, seeded 11th, knocked out No 19 Elena Vesnina of Russian Federation. Serena has won 12 of her last 15 matches on hard court.

Both women started the first set by each hitting winners from all sides of the court.

Halep quickly found herself down 0-30, but she got her service game back on track and nailed four straight points to wrap up the match.

Suarez Navarro, though known for her trademark one-handed backhand, struck several forehand winners of her own to keep up with Halep. In her post-match interview, she called them her “Wonder Woman sleeves”. Halep whipped a huge crosscourt forehand victor to give herself a 2-1 advantage.

Drama ensued when Suarez Navarro asked the chair umpire if she could take an emergency bathroom break.

Halep dominated the 28-year-old Suarez Navarro in the first set, serving up four aces and breaking the Spanish player twice.

“I don’t know how I came back”, Halep told reporters. It all ended just a few points later when Babos double-faulted on match point.

Del Potro will now await the victor between third seed Swiss Stan Wawrinka and Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko. With Halep’s athleticism and improved serve, she could push Serena.

After the match, Halep said she wasn’t able to move well because of a back problem. Halep then hit a quick backhand victor to get to match point.

The 2014 runner-up won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Monday in the last singles match at the current Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“Andrey is always a tough opponent, he returns well and has good shots from the baseline”, said fourth seed Nadal who faces France’s Lucas Pouille for a quarterfinal slot.

Serena Williams surpassed Roger Federer for most Grand Slam match victories in tennis’ Open era with No. 308, a 6-2, 6-3 win over Yaroslava Shvedova on Monday to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals.