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NEW YORK --  Serena Williams  was a bit shaky at the start of her US Open semifinal. For all of six minutes. That's how long it took her to drop the opening two games Thursday night. Williams spent the next hour playing flawlessly, particularly up at the net, grabbing 12 of 13 games to beat No. 19 seed  Anastasija Sevastova  of Latvia 6-3, 6-0 and reach her ninth final at Flushing Meadows and 31st at all Grand Slam tournaments. "I've been working hard on my volleys. I have won a few doubles championships, so I know how to volley," Williams said with a laugh, before adding this punch line: "I just usually come in only to shake hands." With one more victory, Williams will earn her seventh US Open championship and her 24th major singles trophy, equaling Margaret Court for the most in tennis history. Williams already owns the mark for the most in the half-century professional era; Court won some of hers against amateur competition. On Saturday, W...

"The only truth is that you have to do things better to be able to fight for the point and fight for the match," says Nadal Rafael Nadal admits he "suffered" after playing his longest-ever match at the US Open against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday night. The world No 1 recovered from a first-set bagel to defeat Thiem and reach the US Open semi-finals following another late-night classic in New York. Twenty-four hours after Roger Federer fell to John Millman, his old rival avoided following him out of the tournament, but only just,  completing a 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) victory  in a gripping four hours and 49 minutes, concluding at 2.03am. Ninth seed Thiem became the first player since Andy Roddick in 2004 to win a love set against Nadal in New York but the defending champion once again dug deep to come out on top of a grueling battle played in more punishing humidity. Thiem, the only man to beat Nadal on clay for the last two seasons, blaste...

It will be their 30th professional meeting, but it never gets old. Serena Williams topped Carina Witthoeft at the U.S. Open Wednesday to set up a Round of 32 matchups with her sister Venus Williams. Serena, the No. 17 seed, topped Witthoeft 6-2, 6-2 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hours after Venus beat Camila Giorgi, 6-4, 7-5 in sweltering New York heat that reached the mid-90s for a second straight day. Serena not excited to see her sister so early “It’s obviously a tough match,” Serena told ESPN of the upcoming matchup with Venus in an on-court interview in front of fans. “It’s so young in the tournament, but it is what it is. It’s not the end of the world. We would rather have met later. We’re both going to come out per usual and play our best in front of you guys. “Normally, I would say cheer for me. But, whoever you’re feeling — me or Venus will work.” Serena in strong form ahead of Venus match It was another dominant win for Serena, who cruised past...

ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES Serena Williams, rocking a lavender tutu, is about to smash a forehand in her second-round match. By Ron Dicker She’s slaying fashion and her opponents — as usual.Same fashion statement, same result. Tennis star Serena Williams again wore a tutu in her second round match at the U.S. Open Wednesday and again dismantled her opponent. Sporting a Virgil Abloh-designed lavender number this time, she defeated Carina Witthoeft 6-2, 6-2, advancing to a third-round matchup against sister Venus. Williams blew away Magda Linette in straight sets in the first round while blowing away fans with her tutu . Williams’ fashion-forward appearances at the U.S. Open have taken center stage after the French Open announced it was banning her celebrated black catsuit from last spring. Fans dug the lavender tutu, too. Merline, Queen of Air and Darkness @merlinereads This lavender tutu is everything girl @ serenawilliams ! # USOpen 5:25 ...