Serena Williams – Anastasija Sevastova: US Women's Open Semifinal – As It Happened | sport

A quick reminder: Sevastova led 2-0 in the first set. She won one more match (quite easily, oddly enough) the rest of the way.

Sevastova, facing Williams for the first time, presented an intriguing puzzle. She hits slices that upset Williams. She kicked well disguised kicks. But once Williams figured out how to play such an opponent – get to the net much more often than usual – she was Serena the Steamroller again.

Come back this weekend to see if anyone can challenge Williams in the final.

Ace. Winner (24th net victory in points). Semi-forced Sevastova error for a triple match point. The crowd gets up.

And a forehand error! Yes, she is human.

Serve, just returned, winner. It's over. Back to his ninth American final in search of his seventh title.

Second set: * Williams 6-3 5-0 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

Williams' 23rd win from a net point makes 15-30. Then she earns two points of arrest. She only needs one of them. ESPN is racing to show celebrities in the crowd – Robin Roberts, Spike Lee – before it's over.

Second set: Williams 6-3 4-0 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

This could be interesting. Williams finally misses a volley. Then she finally doubles the mistakes.

Then she wins another net point. Then Sevastova hits the net with Williams again. Then, Sevastova badly estimates the service of Williams and hits widely. Then Sevastova strikes a long time.

Can Sevastova avoid the bagel in set 2?

Second set: * Williams 6-3 3-0 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

An ace! Sevastova hits an ace! It does not look powerful, but it is deliciously placed, with a little twirling, and Williams just looks at it. That brings us to 30-0. Two points later is 30-30.

Sevastova tries another blow of fall. Williams runs to play it softly, then begins to turn back as Sevastova greyhounds. It's long.

Williams' next comeback takes on Sevastova and does not stay comfortable on your seat. It's all but finished.

Second set: Williams 6-3 2-0 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

Sevastova wins a challenge again. We have a nice picture of Serena's dog, who is in the stands. And they will not let us bring dogs to our Loval football games.

After two points Williams, Sevastova hits a powerful winner at the net for 30-30. She does not go off lightly. Then Williams … stop me if you've heard this before … come to the net and win with a volley. And even. That's 19 for 22.

Second set: * Williams 6-3 1-0 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

As if to prove the point, Sevastova savagely hits on a Williams approach. And she falls into a second weak service. Three break points for Williams.

And … they are wasted. Sevastova successfully defends Williams' long shot for Deuce. She even gets a point of match, but Williams wins again at the net, pushing a slice of Sevastova. Then a shot from Williams found the net, giving Sevastova a small chance to pass the ball past Williams.

Another breaking point Good rally Sevastova gets the trick at stake this time, but Williams eats it.

Stats, because we love them …

Sevastova is 3-in-15 on the second service.

Sevastova has more non-forced mistakes (9) than winners (7).

Williams has 16 winners and three aces to counter his 13 direct errors.

And the big – Williams has 11 out of 14 on the net points. And she is completely in Sevastova's head.

First set: Williams 6-3 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

The first service is 120 mph. He did not return. But we get a good rally on the second point, and Sevastova confirms it.

It's again the dominant Serena. She approaches the net and Sevastova strikes him very far in the doubles aisle. Then, an ace who resists a challenge. Another net approach, another wild shot, and it's a set in the bag for Williams.

First set: * Williams 5-3 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

Sevastova arrives at 30-15 and then at … someone … in one language. And then, it's a surprisingly routine exercise, perhaps putting an end to Williams' momentum, at least for the moment.

First set: Williams 5-2 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

Sevastova has a look on his face that reads: "Oh, I play this Serena Williams."

But she manages a winner, hitting a straight on line that Williams cheers sweetly but sincerely, to bring it to 30-15. Then, Williams' first Ace makes 40-15 and another clean approach and another smash. Five games in a row after the start of the earthquake.

First set: * Williams 4-2 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

Williams is not happy about the sound of late arrivals in the crowd. Perhaps not by coincidence, she opens with some mistakes. Sevastova gives a point with a double fault, but Williams can not handle his next serve. There is still 30-40 while Sevastova drops a backhand in the net. And then it's twice, as Williams heads for the net and half-lob Sevastova is just over the line.

Williams is just too wide – or not, as ESPN shows the super-secret rebroadcast showing she was at stake, even though she neglected to challenge her. It does not matter. Another clear point, another additional winner. Sevastova tries to win a medium-duration rally with another shot, and that's another mistake.

The last point is almost unfair. Sevastova painted the line, sending Williams to his right. And Williams just explodes the ball for the break.

First set: Williams 3-2 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

The most interesting point was at 40-15, where Sevastova barely had a racket to serve Williams. The ball went up, went up and ended up landing just inside the line. Sevastova finally took the point with a net backhand at the net.

Then Sevastova went back to the net and Williams tore it up.

First set: * Williams 2-2 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

A mistake Sevastova – his first, but it hits the ball with frustration – is 0-30. She comes back with a solid point and another error Williams. But Sevastova's second unintentional mistake opens the door for Williams.

Williams starts a good rally on the breaking point, then throws a backhand into the net. Devil. And Sevastova hits a smart knock that falls dead to gain the advantage. She tries again at the next point, but it falls into the net.

So we have a fun battle here. Williams brings the power. Sevastova is like a judo master trying to unbalance his opponent.

But Williams' net prowess enter Sevastova's head. She strikes wildly when Williams approaches the net. Then she misses a kick and Williams gives in.

First set: Williams 1-2 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

Venus seems worried in the stands while her sister abandons another point. But Williams turns to the net with authority, and soon 40-15.

Williams still hits long to make 40-30, but she gets the service-and-volley to end the game. She has 6-in-7 on the net points.

If you just joined us, yes, Sevastova took a break. But Williams settles and she dominates the net.

First set: * Williams 0-2 Sevastova (* indicates the following server)

Sevastova opens with his first winner of the match. Another error Williams made 30-0, but Sevastova makes a golden opportunity to Williams.

But Sevastova keeps Williams out of balance. A good slice, a tough comeback from Williams, and it's 40-15. Williams gets closer to the net at the next point and Sevastova calmly passes behind her to hold.

First set: Williams 0-1 Sevastova * (* indicates the following server)

A couple of errors stuck around a powerful higher winner, leaving Williams 15-30. Then a third and it's the double breaking point!

As if upset, Williams gets to the net on the next point and takes control.

But a routine shot on the next point is wide … maybe? No! Serena challenges, and he's barely on the line. Review the point.

But then … another mistake! What's going on here?

Those who beat Serena here

And their seeds that year …

1998: Spirlea (9)
2000: Davenport (2)
2001: V. Williams (4)
2004: Capriati (8)
2005: V. Williams (10)
2006: Mauresmo (1)
2007: Henin (1)
2009: Clijsters (wild-card)
2011: Stosur (9)
2015: Vinci (unseeded)
2016: Pliskova (10)

We are on the way.

It is raining

But there is a roof for that.

The players are on the ground.

Serena at the Open, 2010-

Did not play in 2010

2011: Finalist, defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals but losing to Samantha Stosur

2012: Champion, beating Victoria Azarenka in the final

2013: Champion – same opponent, same result

2014: Champion, defend Wozniacki

2015: semi-finalist, with the incredible loss of Roberta Vinci

2016: Semi-finalist, beating Simona Halep but losing to Karolina Pliskova, a defeat that she avenged Tuesday night in the quarter-finals.

Did not play last year

Serena at the Open

She debuted in the big show in New York in 1998 when she was only 16 years old.

1999: Champion, beating the row of Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles of a murderer.

2000: quarter-finalist, loser against Davenport

2001: finalist,

2002: Champion, beating Davenport in the semi-finals, then Venus in the final

(Did not play in 2003)

2004: quarter-finalist, losing to arch-nemesis Jennifer Capriati.

2005: Loser eighth final against Venus

2006: Round of 16, losing to Amélie Mauresmo

2007: quarter-finalist, loser against Justine Henin

2008: Champion, beating Venus in the quarters, then Dinara Safina and Jelena Jankovic

2009: semi-finalist, loser against Kim Clijsters

(to be continued)

Meet Anastasija Sevastova …

She is 28, from Latvia via Austria.

Like Williams, Sevastova is not opposed to an occasional return. She retired in 2013, having made little progress before encountering a typical rash.

Since her return, she has carved a beautiful career. They are not content to distribute 19th seeds at the US Open. Given his ranking (18th) and his previous appearances in the quarterfinals in 2016 and 2017, maybe the 19th is a bit low.

The good news for tonight? She has never lost to Serena Williams. But they never played.

She arrived with a win over defending champion Sloane Stephens.

Should be an exciting contest tonight between Serena Williams and Opponent.

Without wishing to disrespect Anastasija Sevastova for several years, the only question regarding Serena Williams is whether she back. In other words, does she still play her way after an injury, pregnancy or other absence? Or is he the goat, once again mowing someone who dares to face him?

If you watched the battle of Serena with her sister Venus, and I did it, you know the answer. This is the real Serena.

But strange things can happen at the Open. We'll see if we see anything strange tonight.

Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here is how Novak Djokovic reached the men's semifinals yesterday:

It was not for John Millman. The Australian certainly played with the same energy and fighting spirit that was enough to surprise Roger Federer in the previous round and sporadically delight the pockets of Australian fans. The world number 55 produced memorable moments, but Novak Djokovic was not about to fall into the same traps as the Swiss.

The Serb, who was becoming more and more dangerous over the night, was designed for occasions like this. No one could blame this triumph of 6-3, 6-4, and 6-4 that made 11 semifinals in a row at the US Open, having missed last year because from an injury.

You can read the full report below: