Serena battles into US Open quarters as Thiem, Medvedev march on

Serena battles into US Open quarters as Thiem, Medvedev march on

Serena Williams battled into the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday as top men's seeds Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev sailed through to the last eight at Flushing Meadows.

After Williams kept her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title alive, second seed Sofia Kenin was sent crashing out in the last 16 by Belgium's Elise Mertens.

Williams had to summon up every last ounce of strength to depose 15th seed Maria Sakkari in three hard-fought sets.

The 38-year-old American needed almost two and a half hours to dislodge her 25-year-old Greek opponent 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

"She's such a good competitor. It was a really intense match," said Williams, who had been dumped out of a US Open tuneup tournament by the same opponent last month.

"I felt like she almost played better today. I was a little fatigued last time and had some cramps. Just felt like I was able to compete longer," Williams added.

There was little separating the players throughout the energy-sapping contest, with Williams notching 107 total points to Sakkari's 99.

Williams won 72 percent of points off her first serve while Sakkari won 73 percent. Sakkari also outdid Williams on aces, by 13 to 12.

Williams rallied from two games down in the deciding set, pumping herself up with loud screams that echoed around the spectator-free arena as she broke Sakkari twice to clinch the last-eight spot. 

"I'm super passionate. This is my job. This is what I wake up to do. This is what I train to do 365 days of the year," Williams said afterwards.

The American will play Tsvetana Pironkova for a place in the semi-finals after the Bulgarian ousted France's Alize Cornet in another draining three-setter.

- 'Absolutely unreal' -

Pironkova, playing her first tournament in three years after a lengthy break in which she gave birth to her son, prevailed 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"It's absolutely unreal, I really can't believe it," said Pironkova, whose last tournament appearance before this year's US Open was the 2017 Wimbledon championships when she exited in the second round.

Mertens ousted Kenin, this year's Australian Open champion, 6-3, 6-3 in 1hr 14 mins to set up a last-eight tie with former world number one Victoria Azarenka.

The Belarusian overcame 20th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in 2hr 30min at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In the men's draw, second-seeded Thiem raced into the round of eight with a three-set demolition of Canadian rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime. 

Thiem dismantled the 20-year-old 15th seed 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, 6-1 in 2hr 7min.

"I played a great match today, the best one from my whole America trip," said Thiem.

He will play Australia's 21st seed Alex de Minaur for a spot in the semi-finals after the Australian breezed past unseeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-2, in 2hr 17 min.

Third seed Medvedev blew away unseeded American France Tiafoe 6-4, 6-1, 6-0 in only 1hr 38 min.

"I'm pleased with the fact that I've won all of these sets and didn't have to stay long on the court. That's always good when you're playing a Grand Slam," said the Russian.

Medvedev will face compatriot Andrey Rublev for a spot in the last four after the 10th seed ousted Italy's sixth seed Matteo Berrettini 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

The men's competition was blown wide open on Sunday after world number one Novak Djokovic was thrown out for accidentally hitting a line judge after smashing a ball in frustration during his last-16 match.

His departure means the US Open will this year produce a first-time Grand Slam winner in the men's competition.

Williams is seeking to equal Margaret Court's record for the most women's Grand Slam singles titles.

A tournament victory at the weekend would also see her break away from Chris Evert, on six titles, as the most decorated US Open champion of the women's game in the modern era.

Djokovic: Grand Slam superstar but never people's champion

Djokovic: Grand Slam superstar but never people's champion

Novak Djokovic has secured a place among the Grand Slam greats, but his sometimes brooding character means he has never acquired the affectionate following of squeaky-clean rival Roger Federer.

The 33-year-old world number one has been heavily criticized after he was disqualified from the US Open on Sunday for accidentally striking a female line judge with a ball.

It made Djokovic one of a handful of players to have defaulted from the men's singles tournament of a Grand Slam since John McEnroe was infamously tossed from the Australian Open in 1990.

Djokovic said he was "extremely sorry" but the incident marked another low point in a roller-coaster 2020 for the Serb who courted controversy with his Adria Tour event which resulted in several players -- including himself -- becoming infected with Covid-19.

In many ways, the events of recent months are emblematic of his career, which has yielded 17 Grand Slam titles -- just three behind the all-time record of Federer, who is six years older.

Djokovic grew up while NATO bombs were falling on Serbia, but despite that difficult start to his life he has gone on to pocket career earnings of nearly $144 million in prize money alone.

However, he appears doomed never to be held in the same saintly esteem as Federer or Rafael Nadal, the undisputed 'people's champions' of tennis.

There are those that see something a little more calculating in the Djokovic make-up, an intense, brooding presence prone to affectation and fads and a little too "new age" for most tastes.

Nick Kyrgios has ridiculed the Serb's post-victory "cup of love" gesture as "cringeworthy".

Never short of an opinion, the Australian has also accused Djokovic of desperately needing to be liked.

Kyrgios led the criticism of Djokovic's ill-advised Adria Tour in June as "bone-headed".

All had seemed set fair for Djokovic this year before the lockdown in March.

He had secured a record eighth Australian Open and was on an 18-0 winning streak - that run had stretched to 26-0 until Sunday's default.

But in the space of a few months, his character and reputation have come crashing down.

First of all, he was criticized for breaking lockdown rules to train in Spain.

He then invited derision for insisting emotions can change the quality of water while almost simultaneously insisting that he would not be prepared to vaccinate against the coronavirus.

When he described limits on players' entourages at the US Open as "extreme" and "impossible", Djokovic found himself in the crosshairs again for being entitled in a world and sport trying to pull together.

- 'He has everything' -

However, few can doubt Djokovic's resolve.

Two years ago, his career was in the doldrums.

Unable to shake off the lingering effects of elbow surgery, he suffered a shock early exit at 2018 Roland Garros.

With his ranking outside the top 20 for the first time in 12 years, Djokovic threatened to skip Wimbledon.

He changed his mind and with his career suddenly rejuvenated, he swept to a fourth title at the All England Club.

That was swiftly followed by more triumphs at the US and Australian Opens.

Only an inspired Dominic Thiem at the French Open in 2019 prevented him becoming just the second man in history to hold all four Slams at the same time on two occasions.

No matter, just weeks later, he captured the fifth Wimbledon in a record five-set final against Federer, saving two championship points in the process.

"Novak has everything to make records in this sport," said fellow player Juan Martin del Potro.

Djokovic captured the first of his 17 majors at the Australian Open in 2008, but it was three years before he added his second.

He dropped gluten from his diet, his lithe physique allowing him to chase down lost causes, transforming him into the rubber man of tennis.

After leading Serbia to a maiden Davis Cup in 2010, he raced through the first half of 2011, building up a 48-1 winning run.

Only a semi-final defeat at the French Open prevented him from becoming just the third man to capture a calendar Grand Slam.

Despite that, he still finished 2011 with a 70-6 win-loss record, a haul of 10 tournament victories and year-end number one for the first time.

Back-to-back Australian Opens followed in 2012 and 2013, although the French Open remained frustratingly out of reach with three heart-breaking finals losses until his 2016 breakthrough.

In Paris that year, he became the first player to break through the $100 million barriers in prize money.

The year before, he won 11 titles and compiled a win-loss record of 82-6.

Off the court, Djokovic married long-time girlfriend and high school sweetheart Jelena Ristic in July 2014.

They have two children, a son Stefan and daughter Tara.

But on the court, his role as pantomime villain seems destined to leave him typecast.

"It doesn't mean that fans hate me and it certainly doesn't mean that I need to turn Serbia against the rest of the world just because fewer people support me in Grand Slam finals," he said.

When the All England Club crowd was noisily willing on Federer in last year's Wimbledon final, Djokovic turned the adversity in his favor.

"When they chanted 'Roger, Roger' I willed myself into believing they were chanting 'Novak, Novak'," he said.

Five Premier League rising stars

Five Premier League rising stars

The new Premier League season starts on Saturday with a clutch of young players eager to play a starring role.

After Manchester United's Mason Greenwood was the breakout star last term, AFP Sport looks at five candidates aiming to emulate the striker's success in the coming months:

Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Widely regarded as the most gifted of England's Under-17 World Cup-winning team three years ago, Foden has a golden opportunity to fulfill his vast potential this season.

The departure of City playmaker David Silva has left a vacancy in Pep Guardiola's team that Foden is determined to fill.

Guardiola showed his trust in the 20-year-old by starting him in last season's League Cup final win against Aston Villa when he was the man of the match, as well as the Champions League last-16 second-leg victory over Real Madrid.

"I've played many big games for Man City now and I have learned to cope with the fans and the pressure. It definitely helps you," Foden said.

England manager Gareth Southgate also believes Foden is ready for prime time, but his first callup to the national squad ended in disgrace when he and Mason Greenwood were sent home on Monday after the pair breached coronavirus protocols in Iceland, reportedly after leaving the team's bio-secure 'bubble' after meeting local girls.

Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Just two years after his career was in danger of stagnating, Phillips has inspired Leeds' long-awaited return to the Premier League and celebrated his first England call-up in a memorable period for the midfielder.

It is a remarkable rise for a player regarded as an underachiever when Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa took charge in 2018.

Bielsa recognized that Phillips was better suited to a midfield holding position than the box-to-box role he had previously been asked to fill.

Since that inspired switch, the 24-year-old has made more tackles, interceptions and successful passes than any other Leeds player. 

Those qualities have seen Leeds fans dub him the "Yorkshire Pirlo" in a nod to the perceived similarities between their hometown hero and former Italy great Andrea Pirlo.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

The versatile 19-year-old earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination after an impressive 2019/20 campaign.

Now Saka must build on that breakthrough first full season by cementing his place in Mikel Arteta's side.

Capable of playing on the left or right-wing, at left-back, and even in central midfield, Saka showed no signs of resting on his laurels as he delivered an influential display when Arsenal beat Liverpool in the recent Community Shield.

Saka's range of passing was on full display when he found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a raking cross-field ball that led to his captain's goal against Liverpool.

Only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold have provided more assists for Premier League sides in all competitions since the start of last season than Saka, who has 12.

Matheus Pereira (West Bromwich Albion)

The 24-year-old Brazilian was Albion's star performer in their promotion-winning campaign last term.

In his first season in English football, Championship defenders found it impossible to contain Pereira as the winger scored eight goals and provided 16 assists -- more than any other second-tier player. 

He had initially joined on loan from Sporting Lisbon, but Albion secured a permanent deal for around £9 million ($12 million) that should prove value for money.

"Everybody is aware of the impact he made in his first season and from speaking to him I know he is now very excited by the challenge of playing for Albion in the Premier League," said West Brom sporting director Luke Dowling.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool)

Jones gave a tantalizing glimpse of his ability with a brilliant long-range winner against Everton in last season's FA Cup third round.

The 19-year-old midfielder's energy and quality in possession make him an ideal fit for Jurgen Klopp's high tempo game-plan.

He made eight more appearances after that Merseyside derby wonder-goal and came off the bench in last month's Community Shield.

With Klopp taking a cautious approach in the transfer market and expressing his faith in the club's cadre of talented youngsters, Liverpool-born Jones could earn more opportunities when the Reds start the season as English champions for the first time since 1990.

Shanghai SIPG suffer first loss in CSL

Shanghai SIPG suffer first loss in CSL

Shanghai SIPG's unbeaten start to the Chinese Super League (CSL) season ended with a 2-0 defeat by Hebei CFFC, while Guangzhou Evergrande maintained their grip on top spot in Group A with a 2-1 win over Guangzhou R&F in the ninth round of fixtures.

Wang Qiuming opened the scoring for Hebei on the stroke of half-time before Brazilian forward Marco doubled their advantage deep into second-half stoppage time.

Despite the defeat, Shanghai SIPG remains at the top of Group B with 20 points, while Hebei is fourth with 14.

Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande needed a late goal from former Barcelona midfielder Paulinho to edge city rivals Guangzhou R&F 2-1.

After a goalless first half, Huang Zhengyu gave Guangzhou R&F a shock lead in the 62nd minute before Anderson Talisca equalized for Fabio Cannavaro's side.

Paulinho then capitalized on an error from Guangzhou R&F goalkeeper Han Jiaqi to score an injury-time winner for Guangzhou Evergrande, who stay five points clear of Jiangsu Suning at the top of Group A.

Jiangsu defeated Shandong Luneng 1-0 with former Italy international Eder scoring the only goal of the game.

Elsewhere, Shanghai Shenhuawere held to a 0-0 draw by Shenzhen FC, while Shijiazhuang Ever Bright defeated Qingdao Huanghai 1-0, with Chinese midfielder Chen Pu getting on the scoresheet.

Rafa Benitez's Dalian Pro thumped Henan Jianye 4-0, with Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon scoring one goal and assisting two.

Rondon's sixth goal of the season gave Dalian an early lead and the 30-year-old then turned provider, setting up Marek Hamsik and Sam Larsson.

An own goal by defender Ke Zhao was the final nail in the coffin for Henan, who remain at the bottom of Group A after losing four of their last five matches.

Winless Tianjin Teda, who are at the bottom of Group B, face second-bottom side Chongqing Lifan later on Sunday before last year's runners-up Beijing Guoan take on Wuhan Zall.

Mick provides hope for Ferrari

Mick provides hope for Ferrari

Ferrari junior driver Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, was an F2 winner at Monza on Saturday to lighten some of the gloom for Formula One's oldest and most glamorous team at their home Italian Grand Prix.

A year on from Charles Leclerc securing pole in front of the massed ranks of Tifosi, the feverish fans who fill the former royal park in their tens of thousands, it was a very different story at the top.

Ferrari is going through one of their worst slumps, and potentially their worst season in 40 years.

Leclerc qualified only 13th, extracting the most he could from a car lacking straight-line speed at the fastest track on the calendar, while four-times champion Sebastian Vettel was 17th.

It was the first time since 1984 that Ferrari had failed to qualify a car in the top 10 at Monza and followed a similar nightmare in Belgium last weekend that resulted in a race without points.

"We expected it a little bit coming into the weekend. We knew that Spa and here are probably the two worst tracks for us... but for now it's like this," said Leclerc, last year's winner.

"It’s tough because once you do a good lap and you end up P13 it doesn’t feel good.

"It hurts even more as this is our home race but it’s the reality at the moment for us, unfortunately."

Sporting director Laurent Mekies agreed but welcomed Schumacher's success at a track where his father once delighted the fans, who were sadly absent on Saturday due to Covid-19 restrictions with the race run behind closed doors.

"On a difficult day like this, there was one ray of sunshine... with Mick Schumacher taking his first win of the season," he said.

"It’s great to see that, at the moment, the top three in the series, leader Robert Shwartzman, Callum Ilott and Mick himself, are all products of our Academy."

Mbappe magic gives France 1-0 win

Mbappe magic gives France Win

A slice of luck and a moment of individual brilliance during a mazy run from Kylian Mbappe gave France a gritty 1-0 win away to Sweden in their Nations League A Group 3 clash on Saturday with Antoine Griezmann even missing a last-minute penalty.

France coach Didier Deschamps tried a new 3-4-1-2 system but the Swedes, promoted to the competition's top tier after their group victory last year, frustrated the world champions for the first 40 minutes until Mbappe proved to be the difference.

The 21-year-old Paris St Germain striker got a fortunate bounce off a defender's legs as he danced through the right side of the Swedish defense before beating goalkeeper Robin Olsen from a very tight angle at his near post.

With the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, Sweden winger Emil Forsberg forced a fine save from Hugo Lloris and Marcus Berg thumped a shot that was deflected wide for a corner that the hosts could not capitalize on as France held firm.

Anthony Martial, who was in the French squad for the first time since March 2018 and came on in the second half for Mbappe, was brought down by Victor Lindelof for a late penalty.

However, Griezmann fired over over the bar with the final kick of the game, and, despite France's attack failing to fire, Deschamps declared himself satisfied with the result.

"Not everything was perfect. It's a new system that worked pretty well, (but) we could have done better in attacking terms," he told French TV channel M6.

Mbappe was pleased with his coach's tactical switch.

"I like being closer to the goal in this system, it makes me happy. I think its a system that suits the characteristics of other players in the team too, and we'll work on it to make it work," he said.

On Tuesday, Sweden hosts Portugal, who beat Croatia 4-1 on Saturday, while France takes on the Croatians in Paris.

Belgium win 2-0 against Denmark

Belgium enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win away to Denmark thanks to a goal in each half from Jason Denayer and Dries Mertens in their Nations League A Group 2 clash on Saturday.

Kasper Hjulmand's reign as Denmark coach got off to a bad start when Jason Denayer put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute after losing his marker to score from close range off Dries Mertens' corner.

The home side pressed high up the pitch and captain Simon Kjaer did a good job of shackling Belgium's target man Romelu Lukaku but, despite decent chances for Martin Braithwaite and Christian Eriksen, they struggled to get many shots on target.

The Belgians took over in the second half, with substitute Dennis Praet snapping up the ball form an attempted clearance and forcing a smart save from Kasper Schmeichel.

There was little Schmeichel could do in the 77th minute, however, after he parried a shot from Youri Tielemans and Mertens reacted quickest to slam the ball home and double the advantage as Belgium coasted to victory.

"After ten months, we are back together now for only five days and it took a little time to adapt," Mertens told Belgian TV. "Our second half was better, but I must say that the first goal was very welcome."

Coach Roberto Martinez praised his side's team spirit after their long layoff from international football.

Ronaldo-less Portugal beat Croatia

Nations League holders Portugal made light of Cristiano Ronaldo's injury absence as they swept aside Croatia 4-1 in their opener in the competition on Saturday.

European champions Portugal, in impressive form on their return to action after a 10-month new coronavirus hiatus, hit the woodwork three times before Joao Cancelo fired them ahead four minutes before halftime in the League A Group Three match.

Diogo Jota and Joao Felix both scored their first international goals in the second half before Bruno Petkovic pulled one back and Andre Silva then added a fourth.

Ronaldo, who is on 99 international goals, was ruled out with a toe infection while Croatia was missing key midfielders Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic after their federation agreed not to pick them before the start of the European club season.

Shanghai SIPG suffer first loss in CSL

Shanghai SIPG suffer first loss in CSL

Shanghai SIPG's unbeaten start to the Chinese Super League (CSL) season ended with a 2-0 defeat by Hebei CFFC, while Guangzhou Evergrande maintained their grip on top spot in Group A with a 2-1 win over Guangzhou R&F in the ninth round of fixtures.

Wang Qiuming opened the scoring for Hebei on the stroke of half-time before Brazilian forward Marco doubled their advantage deep into second-half stoppage time.

Despite the defeat, Shanghai SIPG remains at the top of Group B with 20 points, while Hebei is fourth with 14.

Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande needed a late goal from former Barcelona midfielder Paulinho to edge city rivals Guangzhou R&F 2-1.

After a goalless first half, Huang Zhengyu gave Guangzhou R&F a shock lead in the 62nd minute before Anderson Talisca equalized for Fabio Cannavaro's side.

Paulinho then capitalized on an error from Guangzhou R&F goalkeeper Han Jiaqi to score an injury-time winner for Guangzhou Evergrande, who stay five points clear of Jiangsu Suning at the top of Group A.

Jiangsu defeated Shandong Luneng 1-0 with former Italy international Eder scoring the only goal of the game.

Elsewhere, Shanghai Shenhuawere held to a 0-0 draw by Shenzhen FC, while Shijiazhuang Ever Bright defeated Qingdao Huanghai 1-0, with Chinese midfielder Chen Pu getting on the scoresheet.

Rafa Benitez's Dalian Pro thumped Henan Jianye 4-0, with Venezuelan forward Salomon Rondon scoring one goal and assisting two.

Rondon's sixth goal of the season gave Dalian an early lead and the 30-year-old then turned provider, setting up Marek Hamsik and Sam Larsson.

An own goal by defender Ke Zhao was the final nail in the coffin for Henan, who remain at the bottom of Group A after losing four of their last five matches.

Winless Tianjin Teda, who are at the bottom of Group B, face second-bottom side Chongqing Lifan later on Sunday before last year's runners-up Beijing Guoan take on Wuhan Zall.