Tennis on Sling TV: Quarterfinals of the 2016 U.S. Open
Coverage starts at noon Wednesday on ESPN,
Continues at 7pm ET on ESPN2
(All times Eastern)
In quarterfinal action at the U.S. Open action on Tuesday, world #2 Angelique Kerber kicked Roberta Vinci to the curb 7-5 6-0, as she has won every set she’s played through five rounds; Gael Monfils made quick work of Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-3 6-3 by launching 13 aces; Caroline Wozniacki dominated Anastasija Sevastova 6-0 6-2 thanks a 5 to 30 advantage in unforced errors; and yet another opponent wilted in the face of Novak Djokovic, who has enjoyed perhaps the easiest draw in Grand Slam history, as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga begged off with an injury down 6-3 6-2, becoming Joker’s third opponent to bail thus far. Djokovic has made it through five rounds playing a grand total of 9 sets, winning 8 of them.
Serena Williams [1] vs. Simona Halep [5]
Serena Williams took advantage of Roger Federer’s absence to pass him and move to the top of the list of all-time Grand Slam match victories, notching her 308th against Yaroslava Shvedova. None of Williams’ four Singles matches during the U.S. Open have gone more than 68 minutes, as she’s has played a grand total of 8 sets, and won them all, with no opponent ever winning more than 3 games, going 48-20 overall. She’s, like, super good at tennis.
Simona Halep defeated Carla Suárez Navarro to advance to her first U.S. Open quarterfinal and a date with Serena Williams. Halep has just 1 win in 8 meetings with Williams, losing to her most recently in the quarterfinals at Indian Wells this summer. Her lone victory came at the 2014 WTA Championships, though she also “beat” her at Indian Wells in 2015, when Serena had to withdraw with an injury.
Juan Martin del Potro vs. Stan Wawrinka [3]
Juan Martin del Potro’s comeback progressed nicely Tuesday when Dominic Thiem’s bad knee forced him to retire midway through their second set, with del Potro up 6-3 3-2. Del Potro has needed to play just 13 and a half set to reach the quarterfinals, his first at a Grand Slam event since the 2012 U.S. Open.
Stan Wawrinka advanced to his third U.S. Open quarterfinal by defeating Illya Marchenko 6-4 6-1 6-7 6-3 in 2 hours and 45 minutes, which was comparatively brisk next to the 4 hour and 2 minute marathon he endured to beat Daniel Evans in the previous round.
Wednesday’s other Men’s and Women’s Singles matches feature Ana Konjuh vs. 10-seed Karolina Pliskova at noon, followed by 6-seed Kei Nishikori against 2-seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.
Watch the 2016 U.S. Open Wednesday at Noon ET on ESPN, and then at 7pm on ESPN2 by subscribing to the Sling Orange.