US.11 - Straight Sets in the City

On Thursday night in New York, Bianca Andreescu robbed Belinda Bencic of a tennis match, while Serena Williams robbed Elina Svitolina of her soul. They'll meet up on Saturday to decide which one gets to eat the heart.

G R A N D
S L A M
F I N A L I S T

Down 2-5 in the 2nd set, @Bandreescu_ beats Belinda Bencic 7-6(3), 7-5 to earn a spot in the #USOpen final, where she'll face Serena Williams in a rematch of their @rogerscup final last month.@Bandreescu_ has risen, and now: #SheTheNorth ?? pic.twitter.com/JpcmQ0ZUxg

— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) September 6, 2019

With history -- the chance to make it, as well as the chance to prevent it from happening -- up for grabs in the U.S. Open semifinals, a pair of straight sets victories played out that couldn't have been any more different than if one had taken place on an open patch of grass in Central Park while the other played out in the middle of the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street. At rush hour.

The results set up an all-North American women's singles final with more subplots than Daniil Medvedev could flip the bird at. It sports the biggest age difference between competitors (more than 18 years) in slam history, as 37-year old Williams (the oldest ever major finalist) will meet a 19-year Andreescu who is looking to become the first teenager to win a major title in thirteen years. While Williams will be seeking her elusive 24th career slam crown, a total which would match Margaret Court's all-time record, an Andreescu victory would mean she'd become the first Canadian singles slam champ ever. And she'd do it what is her U.S. Open main draw debut appearance. Add to that the satisfaction of it all being the "resumption" of the intriguing final that never was: the Toronto championship match from earlier this summer when Williams retired with back spasms after just four games, handing Andreescu the title in her hometown event. This time, though, Serena will have the "home court advantage."

First up on the night was #8 Williams against #5 Elina Svitolina, the 24-year old with the sketchy big match background who was making her second straight appearance in a slam semifinal. The Ukrainian knew she *could* win the match, as she has a win over Williams (one of her six career victories over world #1's since the start of the 2016 season). But her history of big stage slam collapses and no-shows are (over)populated with accompanying moments in which her nerves tighten, confidence recedes, and her game essentially checks-out for large stretches. This match was the final that Williams *didn't* get at Wimbledon, where she ultimately lost to Simona Halep (who'd easily defeated Svitolina in the semis) in her most recent attempt at winning major #24. The thought then was that Williams would have been playing for #25 in New York had the Ukrainian been able to win one more match at the All-England Club.

The semifinal match-up here gave no reason to doubt the previous presumption.

Svitolina *was* afforded a brief window early on by which to alter her fate, as she had an opportunity to get on top of Williams and quiet any of the voices that might soon ring out in her head. She held three break points on Serena's serve in the opening game of the match, but was unable to convert any. In game #2, after taking a 40/love lead and then staving off two of Williams' BP chances, Svitolina failed to secure any of her five game points (DF'ing on one) and then saw Serena fire a backhand return down the line on BP #3 to take a 2-0 lead.

For all intents and purposes, it was all over right there.

Employing a defeatist strategy of camping out too far behind the baseline, the Svitolina capitulation was whole and complete once any confidence she might have have been able to generate from her good-to-great first six performances at this U.S. Open was drained from her body in those opening moments.

Williams held at love in game #3, then rallied from love/40 down in game #5 to hold for 4-1. Svitolina was 0-for-6 on BP opportunities, on which she refused to alter her approach in order to grab hold of any "branch" before sliding over the side of Serena Cliff to her doom. Williams held at love again for 5-2, having won 15 of 18 first serve points. She claimed the set 6-3, but it wasn't nearly that close in reality, even with Svitolina's BP chances factored in.

Williams broke serve to lead 2-1 in the 2nd, then held at love again for 3-1. She coasted to the finish line from there, wrapping up a 6-3/6-1 win in a little over an hour, firing 34 winners in the match's 16 games as she tied Chris Evert's tournament record for wins (101), advanced to her record tenth U.S. Open and 33rd career slam singles final.

View this post on Instagram

Pure class ???? Serena Williams is through to the US Open final.

A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 5, 2019 at 5:37pm PDT

After a performance such as hers here, perhaps one might debate the intelligence of Svitolina sitting out in the muggy weather for four hours a day earlier, watching Monfils lose his QF contest. It's not exactly the sort of preparation one hopes for as a lead-up to perhaps the biggest match of her career. But, in truth, it likely mattered little. While Svitolina's internal belief in her chances for victory were squashed in the opening two games of the match, Williams spent the rest of it making sure they weren't resurrected. We've seen this sort of performance (especially on the heels of her even more dominant win over Wang Qiang in the QF) by Serena before in a major, and it almost leads to Williams lifting the trophy representing major (insert appropriate slam # here) on the final weekend. It's pretty likely that it will again.

But, then again, the pressure of the moment hasn't exactly been kind to Serena in NYC (or other slam venues... but especially at this one, where the moment often seems to squeeze her until she pops) nearly as often in recent years as it used to. And let's also not forget that her next opponent has spent most of 2019 defying expectation, and seemingly being immune to it (and pressure), while carving a sharp path through a tour that as recently as a year ago viewed her as a virtual stranger.

Against #13-seed Bencic, #15 Andreescu played from behind for much of the match. Throughout the 1st set, while the Swiss (also playing in her maiden slam semi) held serve easily, every service game was a battle for high ground for the 19-year old Canadian. In game #4, she fell behind love/30 and faced two BP, but held with a drop shot for 2-2. In game #6, she trailed 15/40 and faced three BP, but held for 3-3.

Andreescu finally got an easy hold for 4-4, and followed it up by making her first inroads into Bencic's serve. The 22-year old, angered by her inability to put her opponent away, here began to openly question her decision-making on some of her shots (and later flashed some anger toward the crowd, not overwhelmingly against her but likely feeding off her frustration... but if she was attempting to "pull a Medvedev and inspire her game to another level, it didn't work as well for her as the tactic did for the Russian earlier this week).

Andreescu got to 30/30 on the Swiss in game #9, but never reached BP. A game later, down 5-4, she saved another BP with the set hanging in the balance (making Bencic 0-for-6 on BP), securing the hold with an ace.

Perhaps eyeing a potential tie-break scenario, Andreescu knew that one more service hold would give her the chance to steal a set she'd never led, or even held a BP in. She did it, managing another service game comeback (from 15/30) to reach 6-6. Then she took off in a sprint and dared Bencic to follow. She couldn't.

After Bencic dropped her opening point on serve in the TB, giving Andreescu her first lead in the match, the teenager raced out to a 5-0 advantage. An Andreescu DF (one of nine on the night to go with her seven aces) set off a brief comeback from Bencic, who got to within 5-3. But the Canadian, as she has been wont to do all season, wasn't bothered by the swing in momentum. She claimed the final two points to win the breaker 7-3, committing a brazen act of thievery on Ashe Stadium court right in front of thousands of spectators, and millions more watching on television and elsewhere. She'd been outplayed for nearly an hour of the opening set, but won it anyway.

The fighter. ??

Just when we thought Bencic might take set one, @Bandreescu_ comes back to win the tiebreak 7-6(3).

One set away from the final.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/viB4BBjuQO

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 6, 2019

Finally in the opening game of the 2nd set, Bencic got her elusive break of serve, ending her 0-for-7 BP streak to lead 1-0.

But, two games later, she failed to secure a double-break advantage as Andreescu saved another BP to pull to within 2-1. On her third BP chance of game #5, Bencic got the double-break lead at 4-1... but then immediately gave it back a game later, combining an error with two DF to fall behind love/40. With her first BP of the night, the Canadian capitalized to get back within striking distance on the 2nd set scoreboard. But a third straight break came a game later, as Bencic was but a game away at 5-2 from forcing a 3rd set. But, again, she dropped serve.

Still holding onto a one-break lead, Bencic served for the set at 5-4. She led 30/love, but saw Andreescu get it to 30-all and then reach BP. Bencic DF'd, then shouted into the crowd after someone cheered her mistake.

With the set knotted at 5-5, and her "long-game" plan coming together perfectly (at least that's how the story might be told years from now, depending on how the Canadian's run at this U.S. Open ultimately wraps up), Andreescu could suddenly see the finish line and a berth in the final just beyond the tape. It was then that she decided to pull on her "Jimmy Connors at 39" shoes and put together a defense-and-lob point reminiscent of one of the crowd-pleasing rallies from the Hall of Famer's unexpected 1991 semifinal run. You know, back when a tennis player still succeeding at age 39 was a just a short-lived novelty. Her perfectly placed lob over Bencic's head landed inside the baseline to give her a 30/15 lead, and she soon held for 6-5.

In the changeover area between games, Andreescu urged herself toward her desired I-don't-want-to-wait conclusion, yelling "Right now!"

Listening, she immediately took a 15/30 lead on Bencic's serve in game #12, hoping to avoid another TB that might push things to a 3rd set. She fired a winner deep into the court to reach MP at 30/40. But Bencic didn't wave the white flag. She saved the MP, and then another, and even held a GP of her own. But, finally, on Andreescu's third MP, the Swiss' forehand error put the final mark on a result that seemed almost inevitable once the teenager had erased Bencic's double-break lead and knotted the score at 5-5.

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?? ?? ?? ?? ?? It’s happening Bianca, believe it.

A post shared by US Open (@usopen) on Sep 5, 2019 at 8:22pm PDT

Andreescu's 7-6(3)/7-5 win took nearly two and a quarter hours to accomplish, but her circuitous route to the straight sets win served to highlight why she's been such a tough -- and at times impossible -- out for so many opponents in her breakthrough campaign.

Bianca Andreescu pulls off an incredibly Houdini act to score a 7-6(3), 7-5 win over Belinda Bencic to advance to her 1st @usopen final.

- Saved 6 of 6 BPs, including a SP in the 1st set.
- Down 2x break at 2-5 in the 2nd set, wins 5 straight.

Serena vs. Bianca on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Ez2a5ba6RX

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 6, 2019

In becoming the first player since Venus Williams in 1997 to reach the U.S. Open final in her debut appearance, Andreescu never blinked in the face of her latest accomplishment. Not when she (again) had issues with her second serve. Not when she fell behind. Not when a 3rd set skirmish seemed a cross that she would have to bear.

But what comes next?

After how Serena has looked in the last few rounds, the thought that the winner of the second semi might be heading into a buzz saw on Saturday was surely in play. But no player worth their salt would ever beg out of such an opportunity because taking down their opponent in a major final might be too difficult a task. And in the case of a player such as Andreescu, you get the feeling she'll relish the chance, and see it as an honor. But she'll still look for any path toward a scenario in which she might actually win.

Either way, if #24 is to finally come in two days, let's just hope it arrives not only with pomp and circumstance, but also grace and none of those *other* issues. You know the ones. And the same goes for if it doesn't, for we wouldn't need the crowning of another new champion to be marred with additional nonsense like the kind we saw during and immediately after last year's final.

With luck, the kind words and camaraderie Andreescu and Williams showed in Toronto will prevent a repeat of anything resembling past mistakes, or opportunities taken by any "fans" in the stands (or the online variety) to play an unnecessary part in the proceedings, as well. But the heat of battle at Flushing Meadows can do strange things to players. So... we'll see.

At any rate, it'd be best to be prepared for what is about to happen. It might not be pretty, but it could also be glorious.

For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness (the good kind) and in health. Til drama do they part. Hopefully that'll be the good kind, too.



=DAY 11 NOTES=...in doubles, #8 Ash Barty & Victoria Azarenka advanced to the final with a win over Viktoria Kuzmova & Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

Barty will be attempting to defend the U.S. Open WD title she won a year ago with CoCo Vandeweghe. She made four previous slam finals with Casey Dellacqua, losing all four. The last woman to win back-to-back WD titles at Flushing Meadows with different partners was Nathalie Dechy in 2006-07.

Azarenka has yet to win her first slam doubles crown (she was 0-3 in major finals from 2008-11), but a win in the final will make her one of four active women with slam singles (2), doubles and mixed (2) titles in their careers. The others are Serena (23-14-2), Venus (7-14-2) and Sam Stosur (1-3-3).

...wheelchair play got underway on Thursday with the doubles semis. #1 seeds Diede de Groot & Aniek Van Koot are now one win away from a 2019 Grand Slam with their win over Giulia Capocci & Yui Kamiji. In the final, they'll meet Sabine Ellerbrock & KG Montjane, who eliminated #2-seeded Marjolein Buis & Dana Mathewson.

...the QF are set in the juniors singles. Three Bannerettes remain alive, but the trio is made up of two wild cards (Katrina Scott and Reese Brantmeier, the latter the winner this summer's USTA Chsp. 16s crown) and a qualifier (Anastasia Yapifanova). Only three seeds (#4 Maria Camilo Osorio Serrano, #5 Zheng Quinwen and #7 Kamilla Bartone) have advanced, along with Hordette Oksana Selekhmeteva (who upset # 1 Emma Navarro earlier in the tournament) and Priska Madelyn Nugroho (who knocked off #3 Alexa Noel today).

Only Indonesia's Nugroho is a holdover from the Wimbledon QF, while Colombian MCOS (RG semi), China's Zheng (RG quarters) and Latvian Bartone (AO quarters) have also reached this stage at another '19 slam.




DISLIKE ON DAY 11:

Remember when ESPN got the U.S. Open and everyone was all excited about telling everyone about it and how it'd be handled like a big event and all that jazz? Yeah, well, tonight they cut away from coverage before the post-match interview of a first-time U.S. Open finalist to go to SportsCenter... which opened the show with "highlights" of Serena's destruction of Svitolina. Yep.

Granted, I'm sure the move was mostly because the NFL opener was almost over and they wanted to be on-air when it did, and the Williams highlights were used to wasted time until they got the expected infusion of additional audience. But the NFL game didn't end for at least five more minutes. Oddly enough, that was about how much time it would have taken to stick around for the interview.

Nothing much groundbreaking happened, but that was about as disrespectful of an event as a network can be. Well, except for the laundry list of other things egregious things ESPN has done to the coverage of the event since it assumed control, which was added to tonight when it took until only game #2 of the 1st set of Williams/Svitolina to go on "Monfils Watch" (no matter than he literally has no expression on his face and barely moves a muscle while watching Svitolina's matches, even as her team cheers her on between points), then just one game into the 2nd set for another groundbreaking Pam Shriver in-match interview with the Frenchman.

Anyway, here's the interview (the one w/ Andreescu, I mean):

Here is Bianca Andreescu's post-match interview for everyone who missed it because ESPN cut away, courtesy the #USOpen Youtube channel #ShetheNorth https://t.co/LPDEsuYw38

— CRT (@StoryofEverest) September 6, 2019

By the way, I still haven't *seen* (though I'm sure they've used it) the wrong-for-the-two-plus-years-they've-used-it on-screen "All-Time Slam Titles" graphic to show were Serena stands, which includes *Californian* Helen Wills-Moody positioned in front of the British flag. So THAT countdown officially begins tonight.


LIKE ON DAY 11:

If anyone was counting...

If you're doing the math at home, that's one, whole, entire Bianca Andreescu, plus another 279 days.

Give or take. https://t.co/wHNGpA5EUt

— Victoria Chiesa (@vrcsports) September 5, 2019

BEAR NECESSITIES ON DAY 11:

This bear took a nap in a restaurant’s bathroom — and slept through the staff’s attempts to get it out ?????? pic.twitter.com/rMuCV2eA7O

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) September 4, 2019

LIKE ON DAY 11:

More evidence for an Italian Quartet (via "Fed Cup Team") combined Hall of Fame discussion...

Matteo Berrettini last year, noting the inspiration provided by Italy’s “generazione d’oro” of WTA players: “The Italian women were a huge example for us younger male players—I’m going to need to eat a lot of pasta before I can match their accomplishments!” pic.twitter.com/Xo5dBf0ZWD

— Thierry Côté (@tcote) September 4, 2019

TWITTER KUDOS ON DAY 11:

When the President plays golf... #sharpiegate pic.twitter.com/Y60YdDQfBl

— Padraig MacRodáin ???? ?????? (@PadraigPiarais) September 5, 2019

ANISIMOVA UPDATE ON DAY 11:

View this post on Instagram

Counting the days till I’m back ????

A post shared by Amanda Kay Victoria (@amandaanisimova) on Sep 5, 2019 at 9:32am PDT

LIKE ON DAY 11:

Don't worry, the Cheryl's "She Shed" wasn't *really* burning...

Nicole J. Butler can tell you the exact moment her life was set to change.

The actress has written an essay for Huffington Post about being the star of the State Farm "She Shed" commercial that has become the beloved focus of much social media banter. https://t.co/LFf5lxycJ4

— CNN (@CNN) September 5, 2019

AS NOTED YESTERDAY, THE ESPN CREW NEEDS TO STOP SAYING ANDREESCU LOOKS TIRED... ON DAY 11:

That's her resting between-point face.

my guess is you would find 0.0 people in the locker room who believe BA gets tired ever https://t.co/bReiNGQHaX

— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) September 6, 2019

BALLY UPDATE ON DAY 11:

It is an honour to announce we are producing a feature-length documentary on Elena Baltacha. Elena was an inspiring role model and a formidable force on and off the court. Directed by @MargotMcCuaig, the film will be broadcast on @bbcalba
in late autumn. https://t.co/VZY2glLKcN pic.twitter.com/3Zxe9Th6ck

— purpleTV (@purpleTV1) September 5, 2019

???? ON DAY 11:

England. It's different there. https://t.co/WkkgLY5usB

— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) September 5, 2019

Ah, good one! Wait... is that a good or a bad thing?



Well, it's just about time to wrap up this little segment, so how about a few quick-hit "grab bag" selections? After all, "WTA Theme Song" promotions needn't be constructed with nothing but full-on, one-song-only, ads. Short, more pointed spots are worthwhile, too.


["Kids in America" - Kim Wilde, 1981]...I think this one is self-explanatory. Make sure *all* the young Bannerettes get edited into the montage, though.

Friday night and everyone's moving
I can feel the heat but it's soothing, heading down
I search for the beat in this dirty town (downtown)

The young ones are going
(Downtown) the young ones are growing
We're the kids in America (whoa)
We're the kids in America (whoa)
Everybody live for the music-go-round


You thought you'd found a friend
To take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand
In return for grace

It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away

["Beautiful Day" - U2, original 2000 video and 2011 live performance]


You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready 'cause I had enough
I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

["Roar" - Katy Perry, 2015]...this one's sort of a cliched addition at this point, but if it's there to be utilized...



I actually prefer this one...

This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no!
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no!
Throw your sticks and your stones, throw your bombs and your blows
But you're not gonna break my soul
This is the part of me
That you're never gonna ever take away from me, no!

["Part of Me" - Katy Perry, 2012]

Love is the kill

You're heart's still wild
Shooting at the walls of heartache bang, bang
I am the warrior
Well, I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive, the warrior, the warrior

["The Warrior" - Patty Smyth, 1984]

Baby, I know you're askin' me to stay
Say "Please, please, please don't go away"
You say I'm givin' you the blues
Maybe you mean every word you say
Can't help but think of yesterday
And another who tied me down to loverboy rules

Before this river becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Oh, baby, I reconsider my foolish notion
Well, I need someone to hold me but I'll wait for somethin' more

Yes, I gotta have faith
Ooh, I gotta have faith
Because I gotta have faith, faith, faith
I gotta have faith, faith, faith

["Faith" - George Michael, 1987]...it might take a little effort to get it to work, but I bet it'd be worth it



The things, you say
Your purple prose just gives you away
The things, you say...
You're unbelievable

["Unbelievable" - EMF, 1990]

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true
And I don't want to spend my whole life, just waiting for you
Now I don't want you back for the weekend
Not back for a day, no no no
I said baby I just want you back
And I want you to stay (Oh yeah now!)
I'm walking on sunshine (Wow!)
I'm walking on sunshine (Wow!)
I'm walking on sunshine (Wow!)

["Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves, 1985]



*WOMEN'S SINGLES FINAL*
#15 Bianca Andreescu/CAN vs. #8 Serena Williams/USA

*WOMEN'S DOUBLES SF*
#8 Azarenka/Barty [DC] (BLR/AUS) def. Kuzmova/Sasnovich (SVK/BLR)
#4 Mertens/Sabalenka (BEL/BLR) vs. (PR) Dolehide/King (USA/USA)

*MIXED DOUBLES FINAL*
#1 H.Chan/Venus (TPE/NZL) vs. (WC) Mattek-Sands/J.Murray (USA/GBR) [DC]

*GIRLS SINGLES QF*
Oksana Selekhmeteva/RUS vs. (WC) Katrina Scott/USA
#4 Maria Camila Osorio Serrano/COL vs. #7 Kamilla Bartone/LAT
#5 Zheng Qinwen/CHN vs. Priska Madelyn Nugroho/INA
(Q) Alexandra Yepifanova/USA vs. (WC) Reese Brantmeier/USA

*GIRLS DOUBLES SF*
#5 Bartone/Selekhmeteva (LAT/RUS) vs. #3 Kawaguchi/Nagy (JPN/HUN)
Droguet/Janicijevic (FRA/FRA) vs. Collard/HYC Wong (CAN/HKG)

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S SINGLES QF*
#1 Diede de Groot/NED [DC] vs. Sabine Ellerbrock/GER
KG Montjane/RSA vs. (WC) Dana Mathewson/USA
Marjolein Buis/NED vs. Giulia Capocci/ITA
Aniek Van Koot/NED vs. #2 Yui Kamiji/JPN

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S DOUBLES FINAL*
#1 de Groot [DC]/Van Koot (NED/NED) vs. Ellerbrock/Montjane (GER/RSA)



City Sights...

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An awesome look at what Times Square was like back in 1903! ?? Times have certainly changed... #mysecretnyc ??: @mondotraveler

A post shared by Secret NYC (@secret_nyc) on Aug 8, 2019 at 9:00am PDT

.@Simona_Halep has been forced to withdraw from the @ZhengzhouOpen due to an ankle injury --> https://t.co/8U5NyUwgLd pic.twitter.com/L8OxBPiCsH

— WTA (@WTA) September 5, 2019

For the second time this #USOpen fortnight, @ashbar96 and @vika7 record a 6-0 6-1 win -- and this one sends them through to the final!

Barty is one victory away from winning back-to-back @usopen women's doubles titles. #GoAussieshttps://t.co/JiEcIDCSh8

— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) September 5, 2019

View this post on Instagram

Walking into @serenawilliams semifinal @usopen match feeling like #eleven head to toe because win or lose you know your sister is the #greatest!

A post shared by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams) on Sep 5, 2019 at 4:02pm PDT

such a lil nug ?????????? https://t.co/7aVlwKVXcT

— Bianca (@Bandreescu_) September 5, 2019

*ALL-TIME SLAM FINALS*
34 - Chris Evert (18-16)
33 - SERENA WILLIAMS (23-9)
32 - Martina Navratilova (18-14)
31 - Steffi Graf (22-9)
18 - Evonne Goolagong (7-11)
16 - Venus Williams (7-9)
13 - Monica Seles (9-4)
[U.S. Open - Open era]
10 - SERENA WILLIAMS (6-3)
9 - Chris Evert (6-3)
8 - Martina Navratilova (4-4)
8 - Steffi Graf (5-3)

*U.S. OPEN MATCH WINS - WOMEN*
101 - Chris Evert
101 - SERENA WILLIAMS
89 - Martina Navratilova
79 - Venus Williams
73 - Steffi Graf
62 - Lindsay Davenport

*SERENA WILLIAMS at THE SLAMS - Rd.-by-Rd.*
72-1...1st Round ['12 RG: Razzano]
70-2...2nd Round ['98 AO: Venus; '14 RG: Muguruza]
61-9...3rd Round
52-8...4th Round
38-14...Quarterfinals
33-5...Semifinals
23-9...Finals (TO PLAY)

*OLDEST WOMEN'S SINGLES SLAM FINALISTS*
SERENA WILLIAMS (37 yrs, 347 days) - vs. ANDREESCU in '19 US FINAL
Serena Williams (37 yrs, 291 days) - lost '19 WI to Halep
Martina Navratilova (37 yrs, 258 days) — lost '94 WI to C.Martinez
Venus Williams (37/28) - lost '17 WI to Muguruza
Serena Williams (36/347) - lost '18 US to Osaka
Serena Williams (36/291) - lost '18 WI to Kerber
Venus Williams (36/226) — '17 AO, lost to S.Williams

*BIGGEST AGE DIFFERENCE IN SLAM FINAL*
18y, 9m (approx.) - S.WILLIAMS (37) vs. ANDREESCU (19) = '19 U.S.
17y, 45d - Seles (17) d. Navratilova (34) = '91 U.S.
16y, 20d - Osaka (20) d. S.Williams (36) = '18 U.S.
15y, 180d - Martinez (22) d. Navratilova (37) = '94 WI
14y, 175d - Graf (18) d. Evert (33) = '88 AO
13y, 113d - Muguruza (23) d. V.Williams (37) = 17 WI

*SLAM FINALISTS BY NATION - 2010-19*
24 - USA (S.WILLIAMS)
8 - RUS
6 - CZE
5 - GER,ITA,ROU
4 - BLR,CHN
3 - AUS,BEL,ESP
2 - CAN (ANDREESCU), DEN,JPN
1 - FRA,LAT,POL,SVK
[champions]
13 - USA
3 - GER
2 - AUS,BEL,BLR,CHN,CZE,ESP,ITA,JPN,ROU,RUS
1 - DEN,FRA,LAT

*U.S. OPEN FINALISTS BY NATION - 2010-19*
8 - USA (4-3) = S.Williams
2 - ITA (1-1)
2 - BLR (0-2)
1 - AUS (1-0)
1 - BEL (1-0)
1 - GER (1-0)
1 - JPN (1-0)
1 - CAN (0-0) = Andreescu
1 - CZE (0-1)
1 - DEN (0-1)
1 - RUS (0-1)
[overall slam finals in decade]
24 - USA (13-10) = S.Williams
8 - RUS (2-6)
6 - CZE (2-4)
5 - GER (3-2)
5 - ITA (2-3)
5 - ROU (2-3)
4 - BLR (2-2)
4 - CHN (2-2)
3 - AUS (2-1)
3 - BEL (2-1)
3 - ESP (2-1)
2 - JPN (2-0)
2 - DEN (1-1)
2 - CAN (0-1) = Andreescu
1 - FRA (1-0)
1 - LAT (1-0)
1 - POL (0-1)
1 - SVK (0-1)

*2019 WTA FINALS*
4 - Ash Barty, AUS (3-1)
4 - Karolina Pliskova, CZE (3-1)
4 - BIANCA ANDREESCU, CAN (2-1)
4 - Petra Kvitova, CZE (2-2)
4 - Kiki Bertens, NED (2-2)
3 - Sofia Kenin, USA (2-1)
3 - Simona Halep, ROU (1-2)
3 - SERENA WILLIAMS, USA (0-2)
3 - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (0-3)
2 - Madison Keys, USA (2-0)
2 - Jil Teichmann, SUI (2-0)
2 - Dayana Yastremska, UKR (2-0)
2 - Belinda Bencic, SUI (1-1)
2 - Caroline Garcia, FRA (1-1)
2 - Julia Goerges, GER (1-1)
2 - Alison Riske, USA (1-1)
2 - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR (1-1)
2 - Camila Giorgi, ITA (0-2)
2 - Angelique Kerber, GER (0-2)
2 - Johanna Konta, GBR (0-2)
2 - Donna Vekic, CRO (0-2)
[slams]
2 - SERENA WILLIAMS, USA (0-1)
1 - Ash Barty, AUS (1-0)
1 - Simona Halep, ROU (1-0)
1 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (1-0)
1 - BIANCA ANDREESCU, CAN (0-0)
1 - Petra Kvitova, CZE (0-1)
1 - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (0-1)

*2019 LONG WTA WINNING STREAKS*
15 - Ash Barty (May-July)
12 - Belinda Bencic (February-March)
12 - BIANCA ANDREESCU (AUGUST-current)
11 - Ash Barty (March-May)
11 - Petra Kvitova (January)
10 - Karolina Pliskova (January)
10 - Bianca Andreescu (March)

*OLDEST 2019 FINALISTS*
37 - SERENA WILLIAMS, USA (U.S. OPEN) - 37y,347d
37 - Serena Williams, USA (Toronto-L)
37 - Serena Williams, USA (Wimbledon-L)
34 - Svetlana Kuzntetsova, RUS (Cincinnati-L)
31 - Angelique Kerber, GER (Eastbourne-L)
31 - Angelique Kerber, GER (Ind.Wells-L)
30 - Julia Goerges, GER (Birmingham-L)
30 - Julia Goerges, GER (Auckland-W)
[youngest]
17 - Amanda Anisimova, USA (Bogota-W) - 17,7m,2w
17 - Iga Swiatek, POL (Lugano-L)
18 - Bianca Andreescu, CAN (Auckland-L)
18 - Dayana Yastremska, UKR (Hua Hin-W)
18 - Bianca Andreescu, CAN (Ind.Wells-W)
19 - Dayana Yastremska, UKR (Strasbourg-W)
19 - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (Budapest-L)
19 - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (Istanbul-L)
19 - Marketa Vondrousova, CZE (R.Garros-L)
19 - Bianca Andreescu, CAN (Toronto-W)
19 - BIANCA ANDREESCU, CAN (US OPEN)

*FIRST-TIME SLAM CHAMPS AT U.S. OPEN*
[Open Era]
1968 Virginia Wade, GBR
1979 Tracy Austin, USA
1990 Gabriela Sabatini, ARG
1998 Lindsay Davenport, USA
1999 Serena Williams, USA
2004 Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS
2005 Kim Clijsters, BEL
2011 Samantha Stosur, AUS
2015 Flavia Pennetta, ITA
2017 Sloane Stephens, USA
2018 Naomi Osaka, JPN
[reached first slam final at U.S., active players]
1997 Venus Williams, USA
1999 Serena Williams, USA (W)
2004 Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (W)
2009 Caroline Wozniacki, DEN
2016 Karolina Pliskova, CZE
2017 Madison Keys, USA
2017 Sloane Stephens, USA (W)
2018 Naomi Osaka, JPN (W)
2019 Bianca Andreescu, CAN
--
ALSO: 2008 Jelena Jankovic, SRB

*WON IN FIRST SLAM FINAL - active*
1999 U.S. Open - Serena Williams
2004 Wimbledon - Maria Sharapova
2011 Wimbledon - Petra Kvitova
2012 Australian Open - Victoria Azarenka
2016 Australian Open - Angelique Kerber
2017 Roland Garros - Alona Ostapenko
2017 U.S. Open - Sloane Stephens
2018 U.S. Open - Naomi Osaka
2019 Roland Garros - Ash Barty

*LOW-SEEDED U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS - OPEN ERA*
Unseeded/Wild Card - Kim Clijsters, BEL (2009)
Unseeded - Sloane Stephens, USA (2017)
#26 - Flavia Pennetta, ITA (2015)
#20 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (2018)
#9 - Samantha Stosur, AUS (2011)
#9 - Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (2004)
#7 - Serena Williams, USA (1999)
#6 - Virginia Wade, GBR (1968)
--
NOTE: S.Williams is #8, Andreescu is #15

**RECENT TEEN SLAM CHAMPS**
1997 Martina Hingis - AO (16)*
1997 Iva Majoli - RG (19)*
1997 Martina Hingis - WI (16)
1997 Martina Hingis - US (16)
1998 Martina Hingis - AO (17)
1999 Martina Hingis - AO (18)
1999 Serena Williams - US (17)*
2004 Maria Sharapova - WI (17)*
2004 Svetlana Kuznetsova - US (19)*
2006 Maria Sharapova - US (19)
--
* - 1st time slam winner
--
[youngest recent winners]
2017 Alona Ostapenko - RG (20y2d)*
2018 Naomi Osaka - US (20y,10m,3w)*
[youngest teen slam finalists]
2006 US - Maria Sharapova (19) - W
2019 RG - Marketa Vondrousova (19)
2019 US - BIANCA ANDREESCU (19)

*U.S. OPEN "Ms. OPPORTUNITY" WINNERS*
2004 Shinobu Asagoe, JPN
2005 Elena Dementieva, RUS
2006 Tatiana Golovin, FRA
2007 Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS
2008 Jelena Jankovic, SRB
2009 Caroline Wozniacki, DEN
2010 Kaia Kanepi, EST
2011 Angelique Kerber, GER
2012 Sara Errani, ITA
2013 Li Na, CHN
2014 Peng Shuai, CHN
2015 Roberta Vinci, ITA
2016 Anastasija Sevastova, LAT
2017 All-Bannerette SF: Keys,Stephens,Vandeweghe,V.Williams
2018 Naomi Osaka, JPN and Anastasija Sevstova, LAT
2019 Belinda Bencic, SUI
[2019]
AO: Danielle Collins, USA
RG: Ash Barty, AUS and Diede de Groot, NED (WC)
WI: Simona Halep, ROU and Alison Riske, USA
US: Belinda Bencic, SUI



TOP QUALIFIER: Peng Shuai/CHN
TOP EARLY-ROUND (1r-2r): #10 Madison Keys/USA
TOP MIDDLE-ROUND (3r-QF): Elina Svitolina, UKR
TOP LATE-ROUND (SF-F): xx
TOP QUALIFYING MATCH: Q2: Isabella Shinikova/BUL def. Sachia Vickery/USA 6-1/4-6/7-6(6) - Shinikova MTO down MP at 6-5 in 3rd set TB, then comes back and wins 3 con. pts. to advance. Shinikova limps to net for her handshake, then Vickery airs out her frustrations on Twitter after the leaves the court.
TOP EARLY-RD. MATCH (1r-2r): 2nd Rd. - (Q) Taylor Townsend/USA def. #4 Simona Halep/ROU 2-6/6-3/7-6(4)
TOP MIDDLE-RD. MATCH (3r-QF): 4th Rd. - #23 Donna Vekic/CRO def. #26 Julia Goerges/GER 6-7(5)/7-5/6-3 (Goerges served for match and had MP in 2nd - has 3-DF game)
TOP LATE-RD. MATCH (SF-F/Jr.): xx
TOP NIGHT SESSION WOMEN'S MATCH: SF - #15 Bianca Andreescu/CAN def. #13 Belinda Bencic/SUI 7-6(3)/7-5
=============================
FIRST VICTORY: Ana Bogdan/ROU (def. Dart/GBR)
FIRST SEED OUT: #27 Caroline Garcia, FRA (1st Rd. - lost to Jabeur/TUN)
UPSET QUEENS: Russia
REVELATION LADIES: United States
NATION OF POOR SOULS: ESP (1-4 in 1st Rd.; seeded Muguruza and CSN/ret. out)
CRASH & BURN: #11 Sloane Stephens/USA (1st Rd. - '17 champ lost to qualifier A.Kalinskaya on Ashe for first career slam MD win)
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEW YORK: Donna Vekic/CRO (4th Rd. - 1 MP saved vs. Julia Goerges, reaches first career slam QF)
IT ("Canadian"): Bianca Andreescu/CAN
Ms.OPPORTUNITY: Belinda Bencic/SUI
LAST QUALIFIER STANDING: Taylor Townsend/USA (4th Rd.) (LL: Flipkens-2nd Rd.)
LAST WILD CARD STANDING: Kristie Ahn/USA (4th Rd.)
LAST BANNERETTE STANDING: Serena Williams (in F)
COMEBACK PLAYER: Taylor Townsend/USA
VETERAN PLAYER (KIMIKO CUP): Serena Williams/USA
DOUBLES STAR: Nominees: Mattek-Sands, Dolehide/King, H.Chan
BIG APPLE BANNERETTE BREAKTHROUGH: Kristie Ahn/USA
BROADWAY-BOUND: "Call Me Coco" summer preview show
LADY OF THE EVENING: Serena Williams, USA
JUNIOR BREAKOUT: xx





All for Day 11. More tomorrow.