US Open 2013: Day 10 - Flavia breaks new ground

A delighted Pennetta reaches a first major semi-final with victory over Vinci

US Open 2013: Day 10 - Flavia breaks new ground

Former World No.10 Flavia Pennetta reached the first Grand Slam singles semi-final of her career with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of 10th seeded compatriot Roberta Vinci.

The 31 year-old was sidelined by wrist surgery late last year and has not had an easy path back.  But ranked 83 in New York she has swept past 4th seed Sara Errani, 2004 Champ Svetlana Kuznetsova and in-form Simona Halep to reach a third quarter final in five years in the big apple.

Facing her higher ranked Fed Cup teammate Vinci Pennetta proved to be the stronger Italian on the Arthur Ashe stadium.  Perhaps the pressure of knowing a win would see her crack the top 10 was too much for Vinci or perhaps it was just Flavia's time.

US Open 2013: Day 9 - Wawrinka overcomes Berdych



Wawrinka celebrates his four set victory over Berdych

US Open 2013: Day 9 - Wawrinka overcomes Berdych

When Stanislas Wawrinka played one of the greatest tennis matches you would ever wish to see against Novak Djokovic at this year's Australian Open the Swiss No.2 was truly playing top 5 tennis.  It took an incredible effort from the World No.1 to edge out Wawrinka in that magical Melbourne epic.

Thankfully Wawrinka has used that last 16 clash in Australia to launch what is probably now the best season of his career. 

He has reached a second Masters 1000 final, reached a first Roland Garros quarter final, regained his place in the top 10 and now has reached two major quarter finals in a season for the first time with his defeat of World No.5 Tomas Berdych in New York.

US Open 2013: Day 8 - Robredo stuns Federer

Federer waves goodbye to the 2013 US Open

US Open 2013: Day 8 - Robredo stuns Federer

With no disrespect to Tommy Robredo I should have titled this post Federer stuns Federer.  For as well as the Spaniard played to beat Federer 7-6(7-3) 6-3 6-4 in the fourth round in New York the deciding factor was certainly the anxious and indecisive play from the five-time champion who looked a shadow of the great player he is.

Federer held 16 break points and converted only 2 and they came when he was trailing by a break in set one.  The majority of the break chances disappeared in some terrible errors - largely unforced - or in some cases he got in a strong position only to hit straight back to the Robredo forehand and get passed.

US Open 2013: Day 7 - Serena gets Sloane revenge

Determined Williams got revenge on Sloane Stephens in New York

US Open 2013: Day 7 - Serena gets Sloane revenge

Since the draw came out the Australian Open rematch of Serena Williams and Sloane Stephens in the fourth round has been in everyone's radar as one of the decisive matches in the women's draw.

On Day 8 it came to pass and for a set it was a thriller before Williams claimed the spoils 6-4 6-1. This was no changing of the guard; this was a reminder that Serena Williams wants to remain top dog in American women's tennis for a while longer and is not going to give up her US Open title without one hell of a fight. 

US Open 2013: Day 6 - Hantuchova completes stunning comeback

Hantuchova was delighted with her stunning victory

US Open 2013: Day 6 - Hantuchova completes stunning comeback

Daniela Hantuchova reached her lone US Open quarter final 11 years ago but on Day 6 she moved one step away from equalling that performance with an amazing comeback defeat of Israeli qualifier Julia Glushko.

Out on Court 11 Glushko built a 6-3 5-2 lead and had former World No.5 Hantuchova serving at love-30 in that eighth game. 

Under pressure the 30 year-old Slovak was rock solid and held. It proved to be the first in a series of 8 consecutive games as she first broke the Israeli serving for the match and then went onto level and build a 3-0 double break lead in the decider.

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