Williams sisters crash out as Nadal advances: US Open Day 4 round-up
The Williams sisters were eliminated on Thursday for a prime-time first round doubles match that could have been Serena’s last after the pair fell 7-6 (5) 6-4 to the Czech duo of Lucie Hradecka & Linda Noskova.
World number one Iga Swiatek and men’s second seed Rafa Nadal booked their spots in the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday while the Williams sisters’ quest for a 15th Grand Slam doubles crown ended after a first-round defeat.
Swiatek, who prevailed 6-3 6-2 over former champion Sloane Stephens, is the last of the top four seeds remaining at Flushing Meadows after Croatia’s Petra Martic beat fourth seed Paula Badosa 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-2.
Serena and Venus Williams, joining forces for their first U.S. Open since 2014, fell 7-6 (5) 6-4 to Czech duo Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskova, leaving Serena free to focus on what could be the final singles campaign of her career.
If it was indeed the last time the Williams sisters would stand shoulder-to-shoulder on court, the end came with little sentiment or emotion. The two greats embraced briefly at the net then stoically packed their bags, exited to a standing ovation and offered only a gentle wave to the cheering crowd.
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka triumphed 6-2 6-3 over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine but was denied the customary handshake after a politically charged match, with the pair instead exchanging a quick tap of the racquet.
Nadal marches on
In a late night scrap on Arthur Ashe stadium, Rafa Nadal overcame a poor start and a freak injury scare to defeat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1, after he was struck on the nose by his racquet when it hit the court and bounced back.
“For more than one-and-a-half hours I was not competing, it was one of my worst starts ever,” Nadal said in an on-court interview.
“When this happens, hopefully not too often, you have to stay positive and stay patient. The match is long.”Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, quarter-finalist last year, dug deep to hold off veteran Argentine Federico Coria and clinch a 6-2 6-1 7-5 victory.