Monday, 9 September 2013
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Rotherham 3 Sheffield United 1: match report
United took the lead on 35 minutes when Jose Baxter collected Tony McMahon's throw-in on the right. There looked to be nothing on for the for the former-Everton man but, when turning with the ball, he found the Rotherham defence in accommodating mood.
Cutting along the bye-line unbridled by a tackle, Baxter looked as if he was about to cut the ball- back but surprised everyone, not least home 'keeper Shearer, by firing low into the far corner.
Rotherham began the second-half with Daniel Nardiello on for Craig Morgan and a more positive aspect to their play as they reverted to 4-4-2. Within minutes Mark Howard had to be at his best to deny the rampaging Alex Revell, on 49 minutes Revell rose like a Deliah Smith cake only to see Howard get his way by collecting the striker's downward header at his left-hand post.
Rotherham's incessant pressure paid-off on 51 minutes when Kieran Agard latched-on to poor United clearance and found himself in more space than Captain Kirk. Agard had time to control the ball and steady himself before unleashing a twenty-five yard thunderbolt that beat Howard all ends up.
Sheffield United were as rattled as shutters in a cyclone. Rotherham kept up the pressure and both Frecklington and Revell went close to giving the home side the lead.
Rotherham were not to be denied. On 70 minutes Neill Collins bundled-over Nardiello and referee Andy D'Urso pointed accusingly at the spot. With the photographers perched behind Howard's goal like seagulls on a seawall, Nardiello sent his spot-kick low the United keeper's left to give the home side a deserved lead.
Five minutes later, an errant back-pass from Harry McGuire was seized upon by Rob MIlson who, from 18-yards tried to find the same spot in the back of the net as Nardiello and succeeded.
The win maintains Rotherham's unbeaten league form and lifts them to fourth in League One, albeit manager Steve Evans was given to sober assessment.
"I'm delighted with the win, obviously, but we've a had a good rather than great start to the season, " said the Millers boss.
"I got it wrong in the first-half but right in the second. We changed it around and it worked. We had to get more support to our front two and quicker, which is what we did and they couldn't cope with it."
Sheffield United manager David Weir could not hide his disappointment.
"The manner of the way we collapsed in the second-half is very, very disappointing, " said Weir.
"We contributed in no small way to our own defeat and didn't deserve to win"
ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-1-4-1) ; Shearer; Brindley ,Davis,Morgan (Nardiello 46), Skarz; Mills; Milsom, Frecklington, Pringle, Agard; Revell.
Subs: Collin (GK),Hylton,Tubbs, Nardiello, Tidser, Rowe.
Booked: Morgan (14)
SHEFFIELD UNITED (4-4-2); Howard; McMahon, Maguire, Collins, Hill, Flynn (Bunn 69); Coady,Cuvelier, Doyle; Baxter, Porter (Taylor 69).
Subs: Willis (GK); Westlake, Bunn,McGinn, Ironside, Taylor, McFadzean.
*Booked: McMahon 82*
Ref: A. D'Urso (Essex)
Read Attachment ATT51433-20130907-181634-001 ( text/html)
Theo Walcott says England won't play for a draw in Ukraine despite taking top spot with Moldova win
Kiev holds fond memories for Walcott as it played host to the stunning volley he scored against Sweden at Euro 2012.
He is looking forward to going back to the Ukrainian capital, but is aware that the hosts will be desperate to secure another victory having boosted their goal difference with a 9-0 win over San Marino on Friday.
"It's going to be really nice looking for that goal again and I go there feeling very confident as do the team as well," the 24-year-old said.
"That was a great occasion for myself scoring that night but I need to concentrate on getting the points now on Tuesday.
"They did very well on Friday. They scored nine goals so they will go in to the match on a positive note."
After an unsettled beginning to last season, Walcott has found himself very much central to the plans of both Arsene Wenger and Roy Hodgson this term.
The 24-year-old is not the only Arsenal player to have impressed the England manager, however.
Hodgson spoke of his delight at having a fit-again Jack Wilshere available for the game against Moldova, where he combined well with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the midfield.
Debate has raged over the last decade about the supposed inability of Gerrard and Lampard to play alongside each other in midfield, but Walcott thinks Wilshere's presence helped the two old heads combine well at Wembley.
"I bet Frank and Stevie feel very old next to Jack," Walcott said with a smile.
"It definitely did work, they communicated well and blended well, the rotation worked well and they all had a part to play in the (Gerrard) goal so there are a lot of positives to take from that.
"We have lots of players in that position but they did very well against Moldova."
Wilshere had to sit out training on Tuesday with a stomach bug and there are still concerns about his fitness following a lengthy ankle injury layoff, but Walcott is convinced the 21-year-old will be fit for Tuesday.
Walcott added: "Jack is a strong lad, he always wants to play football and I am sure he will be absolutely fine. He will recover."
(Edited by Kristian Walsh)
Wales will need to bring in new security measures for Gareth Bale, says Chris Coleman
The £86 million Real Madrid star was an unused substitute for the Dragons in Skopje and needed guards to intervene as two Macedonian supporters approached him during the interval at the Philip II Arena.
Wales manager Coleman believes new measures will have to be introduced to protect Bale, who now holds the tag as the world’s most expensive player.
Coleman said: “We have to sit down and plan differently how we do things because that is what is going to happen. It’s all new to us.
“Gareth has been a great player for two or three years but he’s gone to the club where he has with a record move.
“We have to control the circus, it’s new territory. We have to handle it and we will. We have people here to look after the players, we’ve had more this week for obvious reasons.
“But you can’t stop everything as we’re in a foreign country. You can’t control everything.
“We’re all proud of Baley and we have to accept what is coming when he is with us. We can’t let people use it as a tool against us. I’d rather have it than not.”
Bale remained on the sidelines and Coleman revealed the 24-year-old will not start against Serbia on Tuesday night.
Welsh fans were left frustrated and angered by Coleman’s decision to take Bale to Macedonia before leaving the former Tottenham star on the bench.
Bale had a limited pre-season coupled with a foot injury and Coleman revealed he has to keep club sides sweet so they turn up in the future.
Coleman said: “I’m not thinking about just one game. I’ve got to look at the bigger picture. When we are selecting the team, we are thinking of sending players back fit and not risking them.
We have to build long-term relationships and look after players properly.
It’s the same for all of them, whether it’s Gareth, Aaron Ramsey or Jack Collison.
“Will Gareth be ready to start? No. Can he play a part? We’ll see.” Coleman has suffered a trio of further selection problems with Wales skipper Ashley Williams suspended for the Group A showdown at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Crystal Palace midfielder Jonny Williams and Wolves defender Sam Ricketts are both doubtful after picking up injuries in the shock loss at the Philip II Arena.
With both of his recognised centre-halves unlikely to figure, Coleman is expected to send an SOS to West Ham’s James Collins.
Coleman added: “James is always in my thinking. Absolutely. My defenders have done very well in the two or three games. Ashley and Sam haven’t done anything wrong, but it’s one area we will now need to look at.”
Coleman’s international record reads just three wins from 11 games yet the Wales chief has agreed a new two-year deal.
He said: “The new contract has all been agreed. We just wanted to get these two games out of the way as they are the most important thing.”
Wayne Rooney staying on at Manchester United was the key to summer transfer activity at Old Trafford
It is remarkable that, once again, Rooney has been the dominant English footballer going into a season. Dominant not just because of his ability, which he has at times struggled to fully exploit, through fitness and other issues, but also in terms of the talking points and headlines he has generated.
That ability is not questioned — the application of it sometimes is – although United do not subscribe to the school of thought that after nine years it might have been in the club’s and player’s interests for him to move on.
Maybe if he was sold abroad, if that craved interest from Barcelona or Bayern Munich had materialised, United may have thought differently. But they had no intention of allowing Rooney to remain in the Premier League if he did not remain with them.
Hopefully that faith — and the measured approach of United’s new manager David Moyes, who spoke about helping Rooney break the club’s goalscoring records but also the need for him to get back to the “level” he can achieve, will be vindicated. Certainly Rooney appears calmer than during the summer.
The determination to keep Rooney is why United showed no interest in Mesut Ozil when he was offered to them weeks ago before he joined Arsenal last Monday — not even inquiring about the price and certainly not making an offer — or Willian when he was made available by Anzhi Makhachkala.
Instead, for Moyes, Rooney was to be his first-choice number 10 — the main playmaker with the team-strengthening priorities in other areas. United now hope — and believe — that they have not only convinced Rooney it is in his best interests to stay but that he will further his career with them.
That “focus” on Rooney, however, did not distract from other business. The planning for the next transfer window — and, more crucially, the next one after — started last week immediately after this window closed. There will be no inquest, as none is felt needed. Far from being a chaotic failure, as some have suggested, United are pleased with their work. Time will tell.
There are still those clear plans as to where the club wants to strengthen: central midfield, left-back and, eventually, a top-quality central defender with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic well into their thirties and their understudies suffering from injuries. United will also investigate as to whether there are any “top stars” who can be dislodged. The club is keen to flex its financial muscle. But only for the right player.
There have been suggestions that United now need a director of football but there is no inclination at the club to follow this route. David Moyes, with the mandate of a six-year contract, has been given the responsibility of who to sell and who to buy with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward then tasked with negotiating the deals. That traditional approach, which United claim shows huge faith in the manager, and also a commitment that he is in the job for the long haul, will continue.
Certainly the unique nature of this window — with a rush of money from the new television deal inflating prices and Moyes not in place until July 1 — affected matters. United did not want to impose players on the new manager, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans, so he started with a clean slate — while the club also believe that the work he has done on the training field will hopefully see a fresh approach from some players, such as Anderson and Nani, who appeared surplus to requirements.
The first-team squad is exceptionally big, with four new additions, but will be trimmed next year once Moyes has decided who to move on.
The deals that United did pursue were clear. They wanted Baines, they wanted Fabregas and they also wanted Marouane Fellaini and there was always a quiet confidence, which proved correct, that signing the Belgian midfielder would be the easiest of the three to land.
Why then did United not trigger the £23million release clause in Felliani’s contract at Evertonand allow it to lapse? The answer is simple: they decided on a strategy to try and get Baines and knew that if they signed Fellaini early then Everton would have the money they needed and be able to resist any attempt to also sign Baines.
So United made a joint bid, after having an initial offer of £12million for Baines rejected, although the level at which they initially went in at was undeniably low. But they also knew that both players wanted to join them.
At the same time United were offered Fabio Coentrao by Real Madrid but did not want to give up on Baines. “It was always going to be difficult to get Leighton out which is why we did a joint bid,” the source said. “It was the tactic to try and make it happen.” As soon as it eventually became apparent that Everton would not countenance losing both players, no matter the offer, United moved for Fellaini, disputing they paid the £27.5million it was claimed they did, while they were then offered — and agreed — to take Coentrao on loan. That deal collapsed solely because Real were unable to sign up Guilherme Siqueira from Granada as his replacement.
The failure to sign Fabregas is also explainable. United had received encouragement that although, in his heart, the midfielder wanted to stay at Barcelona his head was telling him that he was effectively competing with Pedro and Alexis Sanchez for one place. “He was very much thinking about his future,” the source added. “But it was always a less than 50 per cent chance that we could get him although it was definitely worth trying.” In truth, also, there was a will to try and make a mark with Fabregas.
There was a sense of nervousness if a player from his former club — Fellaini – became Moyes’ first big signing while there were even indications, right up until the window closed, from those close to Fabregas that he was still unsure of what to do.
“We have been looking since 2007 for top-class central midfielders to improve the team,” the source said. “And that search will continue.” Ander Herrera, from Athletic Bilbao, was a player United had tracked for two years so was not a panic buy alternative to Fabregas.
One offer was made, of around £20million plus £3million in add-ons, and rejected and United then walked away. There was no deadline day attempt, no wrangle over Basque tax laws — and no representatives from United sent to the offices of the Spanish league.
Where does it all leave United and Moyes? There will be no repeat of this window, it is hoped, with the club wanting to do its business, in future, early. There is also, though, no sense of panic and certainly no pressure on Moyes with United extremely happy with the way he has gone about his job as their new manager. And not least with the way that he has handled Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney was warned that playing for England could reopen head wound and lead to plastic surgery
The Manchester United forward had initially indicated that he was prepared to be bandaged up and play in the matches despite suffering a three-inch cut to his head in a training ground collision with team-mate Phil Jones.
Wayne Rooney was told that the wound could be protected and that, in theory, he could play but that there was a significant risk of re-opening the cut which would prevent it from healing naturally. Rooney cannot risk contact until the stitches come out of the deep cut which prevents him from heading a football.
Do You Wanna Dance, Do You Wanna Party?
The 2013-'14 NFL season starts this week. Thursday, to be precise, in the kickoff game between the Broncos and Ravens. After that, a full weekend of action followed by Monday Night Football. And thence, the full season.
Life is once again fulfilling its natural, circadian rhythms, and all over America, there is rejoicing.
And, to make it even sweeter, there are intriguing questions among the faithful still to be answered. Some of those questions that faced us in the white-hot, training camp days of July resolved themselves. Others perplex us yet.
Will the Ravens repeat? No.
Are the Patriots imperiled? No
Is Tim Tebow's NFL career kaput? Maybe.
Check it out: I have the answers to these questions and more.
Do you have a burning question on the upcoming season? Or do you know exactly how it will unfold?
- Getty Images
History in the Making? Bronco Blitzkrieg!
Poor Andre Caldwell. The Denver Bronco receiver only caught one touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in Denver's 49-27 win over Baltimore in Thursday night's much-ballyhooed NFL season opener.
It's like one of those baseball games where you go down the scorecard and everybody's got a hit. In this case, though, one hit was pretty pedestrian.
Manning's new slot receiver Wes Welker caught two. Tight end Julius Thomas caught two. So did wideout Demaryius Thomas.
This wasn't some preseason game against Jacksonville. This was seven TD passes in a game against the defending Super Bowl champions. It isn't that the Ravens didn't know what hit them. They knew all too well what was hitting them and they couldn't stop it.
Yes, this is obviously premature, but it is fun to speculate on what we could be seeing this year: a record-setting offense by one of the best quarterbacks in league history with a boatload of potent offensive options.
"...He was just so nonchalant about doing seven touchdowns like it was nothing," Welker told USA Today. "It was pretty cool to be a part of it."
Last guy to throw seven TD passes in a game? Joe Kapp, back in 1969. Those of you who were sentient beings back in 1969 might never have figured Kapp as the last guy to do it. Look him up, young bucks, learn some history.
Because you might be watching history this year.
- Getty Images
Super Sleepers: Can One of These Underdogs Defy the Odds?
Remember the Jets and Miracle Mets of '69? The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team? The Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson stunner?
Every sports fan loves a great upset, especially when it's his team doing the upsetting.
The Super Bowl has had a few surprises, other than the Joe Namath-led Jets beating the Baltimore Colts in 1969.
There was the Giants win over the 12-point favorites, the Patriots, in Super Bowl XLII, ruining New England's perfect season. And there was the Chiefs over the Vikings, who were also 12-point favorites, in Super Bowl IV. Just to name two examples.
Actually, it's getting to be sort of a trend in the Super game. When the Ravens whipped San Francisco last year, it was the third straight year the game was won by a team seeded third or lower in its conference.
The same could easily happen again this year. So I put together this list of the teams, none of whom are the favorites of the odds-makers, who could again sneak up and do the unexpected.
Do you have a sleeper?
- Getty Images
Tennis - Czech pair win U.S. Open women's doubles title
Open women's doubles title on Saturday with a 7-6(4) 6-1 6-4 win over Australia's Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
Hlavackova and Hradecka, who upset Serena and Venus Williams in the semi-finals, overcame a swift start from the Australians and finished strongly to claim their second major doubles title following their 2011 French Open triumph.
It was also a second title for Hlavackova at this year's U.S. Open after she teamed up with Belarusian veteran Max Mirnyi to win the mixed doubles on Friday.
"It's been amazing," Hlavackova said. "I can't believe I have won two grand slams this week. "I want to thank Lucie. She helped me as much as Max did."
It was third-time unlucky for Barty and Dellacqua, who lost both of their previous grand slam finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
Tennis - Davenport heads list of Hall of Fame nominations
Davenport was announced as a nominee along with two-times Grand Slam winner Mary Pierce of France and 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez of Spain.
The 37-year-old Davenport produced 55 singles titles and a 753-194 record over a 17-year career that included Grand Slam titles at the 1998 US Open, 1999 Wimbledon, and 2000 Australian Open.
She also won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and had a 33-3 record in Fed Cup competition for the United States.
Frenchwoman Pierce, known for her hard-hitting game, won 18 singles titles while compiling a 511-237 record that included triumphs at the 1995 Australian Open and 2000 French Open.
She was also on France's Fed Cup team for 10 years, playing an important role in helping the nation win their two titles in 1997 and 2003.
She was also a member of the French Olympic Team in 1992, 1996, and 2004.
Martinez, 41, had 33 singles titles during her career, none bigger than her win over Martina Navratilova in the 1994 singles final at the All England Club to become the only Spanish woman to ever win the title.
Also nominated in the recent player category is Dutchwoman Chantal Vandierendonck, 48, who became the first ITF World Champion for wheelchair tennis in 1991.
Nominated in the contributor category for their work toward the growth and development of the sport are: tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, who has guided 10 players to world No. 1 status; Jane Brown Grimes, who has held executive leadership roles with the WTA, USTA, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame; and British tennis broadcaster and author John Barrett.
The Hall of Fame's 2014 class will be announced early next year and an induction ceremony will be held on July 12.
Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has inducted 235 people representing 20 countries since 1955.
Tennis - Djokovic finds a way to set date with Nadal in final
Open final.
"Wawrinka was a better player for most of the better part of the match because he was aggressive and played better tennis," the world number one Serb said after the 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory that set up a blockbuster final with Rafa Nadal.
"I just tried to hang on and fight, and be mentally tough and believe all the way through I can actually win.
"I sincerely believed that as the match progresses and longer it goes, I have maybe that physical edge over him, and ... playing on a big stage in semi-finals, maybe that experience could give me a little bit more confidence."
Djokovic, who committed an uncharacteristic 14 unforced errors in the first set, said he was nervous about facing Wawrinka, who has enjoyed a banner 2013 and was coming off a straight-sets upset of 2012 U.S. Open winner Andy Murray.
"I still feel the big excitement before the match, and I knew that he was playing well. He had a tremendous performance against Murray.
"I knew that he's gonna come out with big backhands and be aggressive, so I tried to be close to the line. But I wasn't managing to find my rhythm. That's what frustrated me. I wasn't hitting the ball well. A lot of unforced errors.
"But it was one of those days where even if you don't feel well on the court you have to be tough and believe that you can win. And I have done so."
The Serb turned the tide after a marathon third game of the fifth set in which Swiss Wawrinka fought off five breakpoints to hold serve in a 21-minute game. Djokovic went on to win five of the next seven games to claim his victory in just over four hours.
Djokovic, who had lost only one set in his march to a 14th successive grand slam semi-final, said having a tough test before his Monday final against second seed Nadal could be a positive.
"I managed to find my way through, to adjust, and to win," he said. "That's what counts.
"Mentally it's going to help me, and physically I'm fine. I haven't been spending much time on court before this match today."
Tennis - Gasquet blows U.S. Open chance, eyes World Tour final
Open on Saturday.
Gasquet conceded his 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 defeat with two straight double faults.
He showed fight in the second set, breaking Nadal after the Spaniard had won 88 consecutive games on his own serve.
But needing two more victories to become the first Frenchman to win the U.S. Open since Henri Cochet in 1928, Gasquet was overcome in two hours, 21 minutes inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gasquet, 10th on the rankings for the race to the tour finals in London, will rise after his first major semi-final appearance since Wimbledon in 2007.
The top eight players at the end of the year will qualify for what used to be known as the Masters Cup.
"This year, when I started the year, I wanted to play the Masters Cup," Gasquet said.
"I think I'm in the top 10 for the race, so for sure it's a big achievement for me. I'm still in the race to do that, and I will try to play London this year.
It's a good year for me to play semis here. It's a big result for me."
Gasquet said Nadal, who now meets world number one Novak Djokovic in the final on Monday, was simply the superior player.
"I was close to winning the second set," he said.
"If I could win the tie-break, you never know what could have happened in the third. But I think he was a little bit better than me. No problem with that."
Nadal's serving streak owed more to accuracy than speed. His quickest delivery against Gasquet was 123mph, but he landed 71 per cent of his first serves.
"I don't know if it's a victory to win his serve," Gasquet said.
"I'm not sure about that. I think it's better to win one set or more.
"In a grand slam it's even tougher to play against him because it's three sets to win. I did not play a bad match but it was three sets to love and he was the best on the court.
"It's Nadal. That's why he's the best player. I'm happy with the tournament I did."
Gasquet's deflating finish, with the consecutive double faults, could not dent his pride at having beaten Canada's Milos Raonic and Spain's David Ferrer in order to make the last four.
"I can take a lot of confidence from this tournament because I played five sets twice, and I won them," Gasquet said.
"Physically I played well. Mentally I was tough, too. I did two big matches against Raonic and Ferrer. So for sure it's very nice. I know I can play long matches.
"I know I'm ready to win this fight, and that's big for me."
Tennis - Paes and Stepanek chase U.S. Open doubles title
Open men's doubles final on Sunday.
Paes and Stepanek ended Bob and Mike Bryan's chances of winning the calendar-year grand slam with their three-set win in the semi-finals.
Paes, 40, who is chasing his third U.S. Open doubles title and the eighth major of his career, said the achievement would be unforgettable in a city he had previously made his home.
"I played the junior singles final in 1990," he said. "I remember Wilt Chamberlain was watching. My father was out there. There was a packed stadium. I was a young little Indian kid from Calcutta who was trying to see if I could make it on the pro tour.
"I took the train from Grand Central into Queen's. My father was trying to make a man out of me."
Paes was so taken by New York that he lived there for four years before making Mumbai his base.
"New York is a great city," he said. "The culture, the melting pot of society, what New York stands for. The resilience that the people have in this city is phenomenal.
"I was actually in the Twin Towers, the basement, the night before it went down. I was there literally less than twelve hours before it happened.
"The resilience New Yorkers show is the reason I love this city."
Stepanek is chasing his second major doubles title after winning the 2012 Australian Open with Paes.
Peya and Soares are appearing in their first final.
Tennis - Tomic sentenced to eight months, but no jail, over attack
But the 49-year-old, who said he acted in self-defence when he butted Thomas Drouet in the face and broke his nose, will not have to serve jail time as his sentence is less than two years, a court official said.
"In Spain nobody goes to jail unless their sentence is at least two years," the official told Reuters, adding that Tomic, who was also ordered to pay costs, had five days in which to appeal against the ruling.
A burly former taxi driver born in Bosnia, Tomic tangled with Drouet on the central Paseo de la Castellana during the Madrid Masters in which Bernard was competing and the incident led to the older Tomic being suspended from ATP events.
Australia's Herald Sun newspaper quoted Drouet as saying that Tomic had treated him like a "dog" for years.
Shortly before the head-butting incident, Tomic had told him he was sacked and would not be getting paid.
"I thought he was going to say sorry for the verbal abuse, but no," Drouet told the paper.
"He spat in my face, then walked away and said he wouldn't pay me any more.
"I said, 'Okay, John, you are a real man. That's fine. Bernard will pay me'. And he head-butted me."
Tomic's Spanish lawyer, Carmen Dieguez, told reporters that while her client did not dispute that he had caused Drouet's injuries, he had no choice but to head-butt him as Drouet had grabbed him by the arms.
Tension between the pair had been rising for some weeks and it was not the first time they had clashed, she added.
Tennis - WRAPUP 1-Djokovic, Nadal set up blockbuster U.S. Open final
* Nadal strolls through in straight sets win over Gasquet
* Czechs Hlavackova and Hradecka win women's doubles final (adds details, quotes)
World number one Novak Djokovic and number two Rafa Nadal set up a mouthwatering men's singles final at the U.S. Open with victories in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
Monday's U.S. Open championship showdown will be the third in four years for Djokovic and Nadal at the U.S. National Tennis Center after they advanced in contrasting fashion.
Top seed Djokovic sealed his berth first by overtaking gutsy ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in a heart-pounding 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over four hours.
Nadal conserved his energy, dismissing eighth-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2 to improve his career record to 11-0 against the Frenchman and his 2013 hardcourt record to 21-0.
The Spaniard, winner of 12 grand slam titles, won his only U.S. Open crown in 2010 against Djokovic, who claimed his Flushing Meadows title the following year against Nadal. Last year Djokovic was runnerup to Briton Andy Murray.
"Last year I didn't have the chance to play on this court," said Nadal, who was sidelined seven months due to a knee injury.
"To have the chance to play in the final Monday is just a dream for me. It has been two amazing weeks for me."
TOUGH FINAL
Djokovic and Nadal are the most familiar of rivals and will be playing against each other for a tour record 37th time. Nadal leads their series 21-15.
"Novak is an amazing competitor," said the reigning French Open champion. "His results say he is probably one of the best players I have ever seen. He's a great champion and will be a tough final for me, but I hope to be ready for that."
While Nadal took apart Gasquet in his semi-final, Djokovic got off to a slow start against an inspired Wawrinka and relied on his stamina to wear down the Swiss.
The tumultuous match included a warning for courtside coaching from Djokovic's box, the mangling of a racket by a frustrated Wawrinka and a medical timeout for the Swiss for a strained thigh muscle.
It reached a crescendo at 1-1 in the fifth set on Wawrinka's serve.
The combatants locked into a marathon duel that lasted 21 minutes and featured a series of fierce rallies and brilliant shot-making.
Wawrinka fought off five break points among 12 deuces before closing out the game on the 30th point with a service winner, and players earned warm ovations for their desire and skill.
"These matches are what we live for, what we practise for," Djokovic said after reaching his fourth successive U.S. Open final.
"All the credit to (Wawrinka) for being so aggressive and playing so well. I'm just fortunate to play my best tennis when I needed to."
HERCULEAN EFFORT
Djokovic said he had to regroup after that epic game.
"Twenty-one minutes. Wow," said the Serb. "I was thinking whoever wins this game is going to win the match. I told myself I was going to have to fight again."
The Herculean effort seemed to sap the last bit of energy from Wawrinka, who had earlier left the court for treatment of a thigh strain during the changeover when trailing 4-1 in the fourth set.
Djokovic held serve, then broke Wawrinka in the next game for a 3-2 lead and served out to win another classic encounter between the pair following their five-set struggle in the fourth round of the Australian Open, where the Serb closed out the decisive set 12-10.
"It was a great tournament for me," said Wawrinka after his first grand slam semi-final. "Tough match, tough loss. I gave everything. I fought until the end. With this crowd, it was an amazing experience."
Czech pair Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka capped off Saturday's programme by winning the women's doubles title with a 7-6(4) 6-1 6-4 win over Australians Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua.
World number one Serena Williams will take on number two Victoria Azarenka for the women's singles title on Sunday in a tantalising rematch of last year's championship decider.
That will follow the men's doubles final with Austria's Alexander Peya and Brazilian Bruno Soares facing Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic and India's Leander Paes.
US Open - Azarenka ends Pennetta's dream to reach final
Second seed Azarenka, who lost to Serena Williams in last year's final, could get a chance for revenge if top-seeded Williams beats China's Li Na in the Friday's other semi-final.
"I'm so excited. It's been a long road to the final. It's an amazing feeling, to fight for the trophy," said Azarenka, a former US Open junior champion and mixed doubles winner.
Both players struggled to keep their serve on centre court with 13 breaks of serve in the 18 games but Azarenka's power was too much for the enterprising Pennetta, who returned from a serious wrist injury to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final.
There were five service breaks in a row before Azarenka, the Australian Open winner, held to win the set after an intense battle where the unseeded, 31-year-old Pennetta saved five set points.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with three broken serves before Azarenka turned up the power, holding to go up 3-1 in the set and then breaking Pennetta, ranked 83rd in the world, with a powerful backhand winner.
Azarenka, 24, also struggled to make her serve count though, offering a glimmer of hope to the 31-year-old Italian when she went wide with a return on break point.
But once again Pennetta was unable to hold, twice finding the net to hand Azarenka the chance to serve for the game and despite a brave effort from the Italian, who produced a sizzling return down the line in the final game, Azarenka sealed the win with a well-placed forehand.
US Open - Azarenka punishes Hantuchova to reach last four
Belarusian Azarenka, the beaten finalist at Flushing Meadows last year, took control after breaking the Slovak with a superb backhand to go 5-2 up in the first set.
Hantuchova, ranked 48th in the world, made a determined start to the second set though, holding her serve and then going 2-0 up, breaking thanks to well-placed volley.
But Azarenka, who has reached the quarter-finals or better in eight of the last 11 Grand Slams, hit back immediately with a break which rattled her opponent, who proceeded to make a series of unforced errors.
Azarenka had three break points in the fifth game but lost them all, only for Hantuchova to double-fault twice at deuce and gift her the game and a 3-2 lead.
The Belarusian had service struggles of her own and gave Hantuchova a glimmer of hope with a double-fault that gave up a break to make it 5-3, but again the Slovak was unable to capitalize and Azarenka ran out the comfortable winner.
"It was a little bit tricky out there with the wind and Daniela is the kind of player who doesn't give you much rhythm," said the former world number one.
"So you really have to try to make it happen in one or two shots in the beginning, so that's what I was trying to do."
It was a disjointed game in many respects, which Azarenka said hampered her ability to find her flow.
"There weren't many long rallies and that sometimes makes it more difficult to get into the match. But I felt like I was really good in the important moments," she added.
"In the first set, towards the end, I really raised my level to where I wanted to and that was the key to this match."
Hantuchova, who was in her first US Open Grand Slam quarter-final since 2002, knows she will need to find greater consistency and limit her errors if she is to go further next time.
"I didn't feel like I played my best tennis today, which is unfortunate because I had many chances and didn't hold my serves when I needed to," she told Reuters.
"Throughout the whole tournament my serve was working great but just not tonight.
"I am very disappointed with the performance, because I know what I can do and how I can play. I came into the match feeling confident, it just didn't work out today."
US Open - Azarenka relishes chance to face Serena
Second-seed Azarenka beat Italy's Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 and will now face an opponent she has beaten just three times in 15 meetings.
Two of those wins have come this year, on hard courts in Doha and Cincinnati, but Azarenka isn't reading too much into those results.
"It's not that I don't care what happened in the past, but I don't think there is a need to pay so much attention to what happened," said the Belarusian. "It's always a new story.
"I don't even think that it's going to be close to the same as it was last year.
"We know each other pretty well. I know her strengths; she knows my strengths."
Last year's final went to three sets with Williams edging the final set 7-5 but Azarenka believes her game has improved in the past 12 months.
"It hasn't changed tremendously but there are aspects that got better physically," said Azarenka, who will be trying to add the US Open crown to her two Australian Open grand slam titles. "Mentally I felt like (this year) was a great turning point for me on some level for my career.
"I feel like I'm a better player. I'm a more complete player."
Azarenka didn't sparkle against Pennetta, grinding out a win in a match which saw her serve broken five times and she conceded that she struggled to find momentum.
"There are always things that can be better. I felt like the first set was a little bit tricky - the momentum wasn't there," she said.
"Just being able to pick up and raise the level in the important moments, that's what it's all about, to be able to do that."
US Open - Bryan twins fall short in bid for calendar-year Grand Slam
The top-seeded brothers, who won this year's Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon men's doubles titles, fell 3-6 6-3 6-4 to Czech Radek Stepanek and India's Leander Paes in the semi-finals of the men's doubles at Flushing Meadows.
The hype surrounding the brothers' attempt to secure the first doubles calendar Slam since Australia's Ken McGregor and Frank Sedgman in 1951 came to a halt after one hour and 51 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"Realistically it will probably never happen again," Mike said. "The margins are just so fine in doubles. There are just too many great teams out there and too much can go wrong. A lot has to go right to be in that position."
The brothers, who became the most successful men's pair in Grand Slam history in January when they won their 13th doubles title together at the Australian Open, said they were anxious in the lead-up to the year's final Grand Slam.
"I don't know about Mike, but I have had a tough time sleeping in the last couple of weeks," Bob said.
His brother added: "It's been in the back of your mind the whole way. Once you get out there, you try to put it aside. You win a set and then you're seeing that, okay, you're three sets away from a Grand Slam.
"Every point just becomes a little bit bigger, every moment. It makes it a little tougher."
Bob denied the pressure got to them. After cruising through the first set, they fell behind 1-5 in the third set before a comeback started too late.
"Once you get on the court you're just boom, game plan, focus. It definitely didn't get to us," said Bob.
"It was just that they hit some great shots. In one sense we're disappointed. In another sense, we're relieved and we can start the next chapter.
"We're competitors and we hate to lose, and we knew what was riding on this match. But it's a little bit of a relief when you get to exhale for the first time in a few months.
US Open - China's Li laments stage fright in semi-final loss
The first Chinese to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows, a shell-shocked Li crumbled to a 6-0 6-3 loss in 87 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium's centre court.
The 31-year-old has long been accustomed to the glare of the Grand Slam spotlight, winning a French Open two years ago and reaching her second Australian Open final this year, but was already overwhelmed by the occasion before hitting a ball.
"It's not about the technique," Li said. "It's about the problem with myself.
"First time in the semis, I was thinking about the situation. Today, it doesn't matter who the opponent is. The problem is myself."
Asia's first Grand Slam singles winner, Li lost the first set in 29 minutes and despite taking an early break in the second set, slumped to 5-2 and the brink of defeat.
Only then did she produce her best and most aggressive tennis, saving six match points and forcing the defending champion Williams to serve out the match.
A sometimes reluctant standard-bearer for Chinese tennis, the world number six has blown hot and cold throughout her career, her seven WTA singles titles often bookended by wretched form slumps when her confidence deserts her.
"Even if today I was playing against (a player with) the ranking of 100, (there would) still (be) the same problem," she said.
"When I walked to the court, I was feeling like the court was so big. My side was feeling like a football court.
"I cannot focus. In the end, finally I can play tennis."
Williams will face Belarusian second seed Victoria Azarenka in Sunday's final, a mouthwatering re-match of last year's title-decider.
US Open - Day 11 order of play
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Not before 1:30pm (6:30pm UK)
Quarter-finals
Andy Murray (GBR) [3] vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [9]
Not before 8pm (1am UK)
Quarter-finals
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) [21]
US Open - Day 12 order of play
Arthur Ashe Stadium
12:30pm (17:30 UK time)
Mixed Doubles Final
Abigail Spears (US) and Santiago Gonzalez (Mexico) v 7-Andrea Hlavackova (Czech Republic) and Max Mirnyi (Belarus)
Not before 1:45 pm (18:45)
Women's semi-finals
Flavia Pennetta (Italy) v 2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)
Not before 3:45 pm (20:45)
1-Serena Williams (U.S.) v 5-Li Na (China)
US Open - Day 13 order of play
Arthur Ashe Stadium
12:00pm (17:00 UK time)
Men's singles semi-finals
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v 9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland)
Not before 2:50pm (19:50 UK time)
8-Richard Gasquet (France) v 2-Rafa Nadal (Spain)
Not before 3:30pm (20:30 UK time)
Women's doubles final
5-Andrea Hlavackova (Czech Republic) and Luci Hradecka (Czech Republic) v 8-Ashleigh Barty (Australia) and Casey Dellacqua (Australia)
US Open - Djokovic downs Wawrinka in thriller to reach final
Djokovic recovered from a two-sets-to-one deficit to beat Wawrinka 2-6 7-6(4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 in front of a packed house on Arthur Ashe Stadium at Flushing Meadows.
"These matches are what we live for, what we practice for," Djokovic said. "I want to congratulate my opponent, he played a great match."
The Serb's supreme fitness levels were crucial as the ninth-seeded Wawrinka became fatigued during the final two sets.
"Stan played aggressive. He played the better tennis. I was just trying to hang in there. I was fortunate to play my best tennis when I needed to," Djokovic added.
An incredible 21-minute, 30-point game at 1-1 in the fifth set went Wawrinka's way, but he dropped serve at 2-2 as Djokovic assumed control.
Wawrinka cracked 57 winners to Djokovic's 38 but a first-serve percentage of 50 proved costly for the Swiss.
Djokovic served out the match to 15 to win in four hours and nine minutes.
Djokovic will clash with second seed Rafael Nadal inMonday's final, after the Spaniard comfortably beat eighth-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 7-6(1) 6-2.
"It was a great tournament for me," Wawrinka said. "Tough match, tough loss. I gave everything. I fought until the end. With this crowd, it was an amazing experience."
Wawrinka played the more aggressive tennis from the outset, holding a service break in the second set before Djokovic's comeback began.
The Serb received a caution for illegal courtside coaching at 2-4. Clearly displeased, he broke Wawrinka's next service game and went on to control the tiebreaker.
The final set took an hour and three minutes before Djokovic and Wawrinka embraced at the net.
Both players earlier had raised their arms to the crowd after the 21-minute game, resulting in a loud standing ovation.
Djokovic had five break points in that game, without being able to convert. He held his service quickly, and broke Wawrinka to lead 3-2 in the decisive break.
"I guess everyone was thinking whoever wins this game, wins the match," Djokovic said. "I told myself I was going to have to fight again."
US Open - Djokovic swats aside Youzhny to reach semi-finals
The Serb polished off his Russian opponent in two hours and 34 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a last four meeting with Stanislas Wawrinka, who earlier stunned defending champion Andy Murray.
"I've been always trying to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams," said Djokovic, who has now reached the semi-finals at 14 successive Majors.
"I had a tough hard court season coming into the US Open but I'm really working on my game. I'm going to try to play my best in every match."
At two sets up, Djokovic looked to be forging an even quicker path to the last four but Youzhny burst into life to become the first player to take a set off the world number one at Flushing Meadows this year.
The New York crowd swung behind the underdog but Djokovic recovered momentum by breaking the Russian's opening service game of the fourth set.
With entrepreneur Richard Branson cheering him on from his supporters' box, Djokovic broke again in the fourth and sixth games to put the issue beyond doubt.
"After I lost the third set I definitely tried to regroup and focus on every point individually," said the 26-year-old, who hit 32 winners and an unusually high 45 unforced errors.
"It suddenly changed. For some reason I allowed him to come back into the match, started to push the ball, being more passive and allowing him to step into the court.
"It was important to get the early break in the fourth. I really felt a big relief and just went for my shots and played great."
The clash between Djokovic and ninth seeded Swiss Wawrinka will be their first since an epic battle at this year's Australian Open, which the Serbian won 12-10 in the fifth set before going on to win the title.
"That was played on a very, very high level," Djokovic said.
"In the past we all knew (Stan) had the quality to play that well, but not on a consistent basis. I think he has worked on his movement a lot, and some variety of shots in his game.
"He's a very complete player. He's had one of the best seasons of his life. Today he won in straight sets against the defending champion on Arthur Ashe. That's quite impressive."
Murray complained about an emotional letdown from his Wimbledon victory and Djokovic said he understood.
"It's never easy after you win a Grand Slam to motivate yourself again to play smaller tournaments," the six-times Grand Slam champion said.
"And then prepare yourself again to be mentally, physically and emotionally 100 per cent committed to another Grand Slam that is basically just a month and a half after the biggest win in his career, which is Wimbledon.
"I have been in this particular situation. I know how it feels. But this is tennis. In order to be in the mix for number one in the world or a contender for a Major title, you have to be giving everything that you have."
US Open - Djokovic, Nadal aiming for US Open showdown
Australian Open champion Djokovic and French Open winner Nadal have designs on adding a second Grand Slam to their honours this year but first must get past familiar foes in Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and France's Richard Gasquet, respectively.
Top-seeded Djokovic, who advanced to his 14th successive Grand Slam semi-final with a four-set victory over Mikhail Youzhny, and Nadal, a straight-sets winner over fellow-Spaniard Tommy Robredo, have both lost only one set in the tournament.
The darkhorse challengers, however, are at the top of their games, both wielding lethal one-handed backhands as a key part of their arsenal.
Nadal said there was no danger of him looking past longtime friend Gasquet and at a possible marquee clash with Djokovic.
"I hope to be ready to play a good match against Richard. If not, I will not have the chance to play the final," the second-seeded Spaniard said.
"If I don't play great match against Richard, I will see the final on TV. I am focused only to play great match in semi-finals against Richard."
The eighth-seeded Gasquet went five sets to beat big-serving Milos Raonic of Canada in the fourth round, and went the distance again to eliminate fourth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer in the quarters.
Wawrinka caused an even bigger splash as he improved his 2013 record to 41-15 by ousting Wimbledon winner and defending US Open champion Andy Murray of Britain in three breezy sets in his quarter-finals tilt.
The Swiss said he was most proud of how he dealt with the pressure of playing against Murray, since in the past he has often been plagued by nerves.
"My level of tennis right now is quite good. I'm really confident with myself, with my game," said 28-year-old Wawrinka, whose victory over third seed Murray lifted him to his first Grand Slam semi-final.
Djokovic knows first-hand how dangerous Wawrinka can be, having gone through a titanic five-set struggle against him in the fourth round at the Australian Open that he clinched 12-10 in the final set of a superb contest.
"It's definitely one of the most exciting matches I have played in my life on this surface, that was played on a very, very high level," the Serb said about that hard court encounter in Melbourne on his way to winning a third straight Australian crown.
"In the past we all knew that he has the quality to play that well, but not in a consistent basis.
"He's a very complete player. He can play equally well on any surface. He had one of the best seasons in his life."
Wawrinka said the contest against Djokovic was a turning point for him.
"It's one of the keys of the season, for sure," the Swiss said. "That was a really tough moment, but at the end, I was really positive with that match because all Australian Open my level was quite good and was better than ever."
Djokovic said he was bracing for Wawrinka's best after his impressive performance against Murray.
"That was quite impressive," he said. "I'm sure he's very confident and he has nothing to lose now. He's going to go for the win."
Djokovic leads their head-to-head series 12-2, with wins in their last 11 meetings.
Nadal is a perfect 10-0 against Gasquet, who he has competed against since their junior days.
The Spaniard said he had great respect for his opponent and was pleased to see him make it to the last four at Flushing Meadows.
"He's a nice guy, very nice person, one of the players on the tour that I feel closer (to) because we are from the same age. We always had a good feeling," said Nadal.
"So it's great, no? When you see a player like Richard that we grow up in similar ways and we played when we were kids. We have the chance to be in the semi-finals of the US Open, so is great."
Even Djokovic felt good about Gasquet's advance to his second Grand Slam semi-final following his maiden journey six years ago at Wimbledon.
"Richard was always one of the most talented players that played the game with one of the most beautiful and also most efficient backhands that we have seen," said Djokovic.
US Open - Dominant Nadal steamrolls Robredo to reach semis
The second-seeded Spaniard needed just an hour and 40 minutes to get the job done on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Robredo, who had upset Swiss master Roger Federer in the fourth round.
However, he was no match for Nadal, receiving an ironic cheer when he finally won a game at 0-2 in the second set.
Nadal will play Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Robredo won the first point with an unreturnable serve but that was about as good as it got for the 31-year-old, who was constantly on the back foot as Nadal dictated play with heavy forehands and only 15 unforced errors for the match.
Nadal has yet to lose his serve in the tournament and did not face a break point against Robredo.
Robredo showed glimpses of form early in the third set but when Nadal broke in the fifth game the writing was on the wall.
Nadal broke serve for the seventh time before sealing the lopsided affair when Robredo sent a forehand long.
"I think I played my best match in the US Open this year," Nadal said. "Playing a little bit better every day is great. I am in the semi-finals and very happy to be here."
Earlier on Wednesday, Gasquet, who has a 0-10 record against Nadal, had recalled beating the Spaniard when they were 13-year-olds.
"I think I lost 6-4 in the third," confirmed Nadal.
"It was one of the first tournaments for me to play internationally, under 14. Richard was unbelievable. He's a nice guy and a good friend. We started together as kids and it's great to see him in the semi-finals in the US Open."
US Open - Gasquet reflects on his Nadal win, as a young teen
Gasquet, 27, reached the second Grand Slam semi-final of his career with a tough 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 victory over Spain's fourth-seeded David Ferrer.
The Frenchman appeared fatigued when Ferrer levelled the match at two sets all but his scintillating groundstrokes, especially his renowned one-handed backhand, gave him the upper hand in an entertaining match lasting three hours 23 minutes.
Gasquet moved into a semi-final against either second-seeded Nadal or fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo and he fully expected to face Nadal, against whom he has a 0-10 head-to-head record.
A YouTube clip titled 'Rafael Nadal 13 Years Old,' featuring the Spaniard playing against Gasquet as a junior, has attracted more than 600,000 viewers. Gasquet has been one of them.
"I saw on YouTube that video sometimes," the Frenchman said.
"People are talking about that video when I played against Rafa. On YouTube I can see I'm winning against him, so I don't believe it sometimes.
"It was a match in Tarbes, one of the biggest tournaments for the younger children under 14. It's good to win at under 14, but it is better to win as a pro."
Gasquet had clear memories of that junior match against Nadal.
"I didn't know him when I played him, when I was 13 years old," he said. "But he was already fighting a lot already. He was already running so much. I remember I won a set 6-4, and I told my father he's a big fighter.
"I didn't lie. I was true. In the future, this one is the biggest player in the world."
Gasquet's semi-final appearance will be his first at a major since he lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2007. Fatigue could be an issue for the Frenchman, following his back-to-back five-set wins against Canadian Milos Raonic and Ferrer.
"Right now, for sure, I'm a little bit tired," Gasquet said.
"But I have two days to recover. That makes a difference for me."
US Open - Gasquet upsets Ferrer to reach first Grand Slam semi-final since 2007
Playing in just the second Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, 27-year-old Gasquet used his trademark one-handed backhand to near perfection as he closed out Ferrer in three hours and 23 minutes.
"I thought he was a little bit nervous in the wind, so I played on that," said Gasquet.
"I was a little bit tired but the last game was amazing for me. It's wonderful for me to be in the semis. It means a lot."
Gasquet broke the Spaniard, a model of consistency with trips to the quarters or better in the last eight Slams, when he double faulted on break point to seize a 4-2 lead in the fifth set and ended it with a bristling forehand for his 52nd winner.
"He had a bad game at 3-2 for me. I was a little nervous about getting into the semis at the US Open, but I did it. Was a big win for me," he said.
Gasquet will play either second-seed Rafa Nadal or 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo, both of Spain, for a place in Monday's final.
US Open - Mirnyi closing in on US Open mixed doubles hat-trick
Mirnyi and Czech Andrea Hlavackova will meet American Abigail Spears and Mexican Santiago Gonzalez on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The seventh-seeded Mirnyi and Hlavackova reached the final by defeating Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Kristina Mladenovic of France and Daniel Nestor of Canada 7-5 6-7 12-10.
The 36-year-old Mirnyi is chasing the 10th major doubles title of his career.
He partnered with Serena Williams to win the US Open mixed doubles crown in 1998 and was triumphant again in 2007 with Victoria Azarenka.
Mirnyi's impressive resume also includes an mixed doubles Olympic gold medal he won with Azarenka in London last year.
Spears and Gonzalez defeated fifth seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain and Bruno Soares of Brazil 6-3, 6-1.
Spears, 32, will contest her first Grand Slam final in 63 attempts.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
US Open - Mirnyi completes mixed doubles hat-trick
The 36-year-old Mirnyi's hat trick of wins in the event, each with different partners, was completed 15 years after his first at Flushing Meadows and was the 10th major doubles title of his career.
He partnered with Serena Williams to win the US Open mixed doubles crown in 1998 and then triumphed with Victoria Azarenka in 2007.
Mirnyi's successes in the format also includes a mixed doubles Olympic gold medal that he won with Azarenka in London last year.
"Max was unbelievable, he covered 80 percent of the court and made it easy for me to make some great returns," said Hlavackova.
Hlavackova is back on court later on Friday in the women's doubles semi-finals where she and fellow Czech Lucie Hradecka face the Williams sisters.
US Open - Murray expects Wawrinka to cause headaches in quarters
Murray owns an 8-5 all-time record against the ninth-seeded Swiss but he lost to Wawrinka in their only meeting this year, a last-16 clash at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The British third seed said once a player of Wawrinka's calibre reaches a certain level of technical competence, confidence becomes the most important quality.
"If someone goes on the court not thinking they can win against you, then the match is as good as done," said Murray.
"When they believe they can win, in an individual sport when you're just playing against one person, then you can cause an upset. It's as simple as that.
"Stan has improved quite a bit this year. He hasn't changed any of his strokes, technically. You'd expect most of it to be confidence."
Murray and Wawrinka will meet in Thursday's day session on Arthur Ashe Stadium while the night session features top-seeded Novak Djokovic and 21st-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the day's other quarter-final.
Serbian Djokovic claimed he was in stellar form after he demolished Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-0 6-0 in the fourth round on Tuesday.
"I had some great matches in the past that I can compare this one to," he said. "Definitely the second and third sets have been some of the best tennis that I've played on Arthur Ashe in my career."
"It all comes at a great time for me."
Wawrinka said his self-belief escalated when he pushed Djokovic to the limit in a five-set match at the Australian Open in January.
"Andy is a really good player and we practice a lot together," he said. "It's usually a tough match but I like to play him. I like his game.
"If I can start well, if I can stay with him, I have a good chance. I need to start the match well to show him I'm going to be there."
US Open - Murray grinds past Istomin into quarter-finals
Murray's consistency in the top tournaments is such that he has now reached the quarter-finals in each of his last 10 grand slam tournaments.
But Istomin, ranked 65th in the world, pushed Murray hard and the Wimbledon champion was glad to have made it through without a major scare.
"I was just very happy to get it done because he had chances at the end of the third set to get ahead," Murray said.
"But I'm in the quarter-finals of a Slam. That is not an easy thing to do and the matches are going to get tougher. I'll have to up my game," he said.
The Briton struggled to get out of the blocks in the first set and trailed 5-3 after two forehand errors handed Istomin the break in surprisingly cool and slightly gusty conditions.
Although Murray immediately broke back, he lost out in the tiebreak, with a double fault and a slice into the net allowing Istomin to serve out the set.
Istomin, decked out in luminous orange with similarly garish yellow-rimmed glasses, proved to be a determined opponent.
After levelling the match, Murray displayed some clear signs of frustration in the third set but finally took control by breaking Istomin in a marathon seventh game after the enterprising Uzbek had saved three break points.
There was never any doubt about who would win from then and the Scot wrapped up the match in a little over three hours.
Murray said the weather and wind in Arthur Ashe Stadium had been a factor in his slow start to the night match.
"It was extremely cold on the court, very windy. Often when you sort of heat up and then in between sets or if you have quite a long break, you cool down pretty quickly," he said.
"It was very, very different conditions to the last few days where it's been very humid and you have been sweating a lot," he said.
Istomin's decision to play the ball between his legs on three occasions, once when he had a perfectly playable shot, may have pleased the crowd but raised some eyebrows and surprised his opponent.
"I think it was 5-4 in the first set when he had a pretty easy shot. I personally wouldn't try something like that at that stage, but he did, and yeah, it was a bit surprising," he said.
Wawrinka, who beat Tomas Berdych on Tuesday, is up next for Murray and he knows he is in for a test.
"He has improved quite a lot this year, he has less weaknesses and is more experienced.
"He has a very good backhand, serves well, he's solid at the net and makes a lot of returns. He makes it tricky for you.
"He is a top player and it will be a very tough match for me," he said.
US Open - Murray title defence ended by dominant Wawrinka
Ninth-seeded Wawrinka dominated an out of sorts Murray 6-4 6-3 6-2 in just over two hours, winning the battle from the baseline and the net against the Wimbledon champion.
The victory on a wind-blown Arthur Ashe Stadium court lifted the 28-year-old Swiss to his first Grand Slam semi-final.
The surging Wawrinka, who raised his 2013 record to 41-15 with the upset win, raised both arms in triumph after third seed Murray dumped a second-serve return into the net on match point.
"It feels amazing for sure, especially here," the excited Swiss said. "He's defending champion, he's a tough opponent. It was a crazy match for me. To beat him in three sets is just amazing."
Wawrinka broke the Scotsman four times and never faced a break point against a player noted for his ability to return.
The Swiss cracked 45 winners past a listless Murray and won 31 of 42 forays to the net in the one-sided match.
The match turned in Wawrinka's favour at the end of the opening set, which was on serve at 5-4 to the Swiss but ended in an enthralling 10th game.
Murray made several errors but still managed to save five set points. He finally gave up the set when he sent a forehand long and responded by angrily smashing his racquet onto the court.
The frustration might have indicated a more aggressive Murray to come but his struggles extended to the second set where he allowed his opponent triple break point in the sixth game, which Wawrinka took advantage of with a superb backhand winner down the line.
Wawrinka held his serve to take the second set and his joyful reaction illustrated his belief that a first Grand Slam semi-finals appearance was within his reach.
A double fault on break point from Murray in the third game of the final set summed up his afternoon and the match was put beyond him with a brilliant forehand winner from the Swiss broke Murray again to go up 5-2.
For the Scotsman, the defeat marked his second loss to Wawrinka this year, having fallen in a last-16 clash on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
Murray admitted to something of a Wimbledon hangover after ending a drought of 77 years without a British men's winner since Fred Perry's 1936 triumph at the All England Club.
"When you work hard for something for a lot of years, it's going to take a bit of time to really fire yourself up and get yourself training 110 per cent," the Scotsman said.
"That's something that I think is kind of natural after what happened at Wimbledon. But I got here. I got to the quarter-finals of a slam, which isn't easy."
Much more was expected of Murray, as it was for the other Swiss player that factored at Flushing Meadows - Roger Federer.
Murray's loss was the second seismic shocker to strike the men's draw in the last two rounds following the straight sets dismissal of five-time US Open champion Federer in the fourth round by Spain's Tommy Robredo.
Robredo's rousing victory robbed fans of a quarter-finals match between Federer and Rafa Nadal that would have marked the first US Open meeting ever between the two champions, who have met 31 times elsewhere around the world.
Wawrinka's victory sank the possibility of a Murray semi-final against top seed Novak Djokovic that would have reprised their 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon finals.
Djokovic was playing the last men's quarter-final against 21st-ranked Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in Thursday's night match. Murray complained about the breezy conditions, but credited Wawrinka for playing a brilliant match.
"He played great. He hit big shots. He passed extremely well. He hit a lot of lines on big points. He served well. That was it," said Murray. "He played a great match."
US Open - Murray: It was hard to get fired up after Wimbledon glory
The two-times Grand Slam winner has not looked at his best since his emotional win over Novak Djokovic at the All England Club in July and he conceded that he has since found it tough to get motivated.
"When you work hard for something for a lot of years, it's going to take a bit of time to really fire yourself up and get yourself training (at) 110 per cent," the British third seed said after his 6-4 6-3 6-2 loss to ninth-seeded Wawrinka.
"That's something that I think is kind of natural after what happened at Wimbledon. But I got here. I mean, I have been here nearly three weeks now.
"I practiced a lot, and played quite a lot of matches, as well. So I gave myself a chance to do well because I prepared properly."
It has been a breakthrough year for Murray who has won Olympic gold, the US Open and Wimbledon, in the past 13 months.
"I have played my best tennis in the slams the last two, three years. I lost today in straight sets, so that's disappointing. I would have liked to have gone further," said Murray.
"But I can't complain. If someone told me before the US Open last year I would have been here as defending champion having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold, I would have taken that 100 per cent."
The Scotsman's victory at Wimbledon was amplified by the pressure of ending Britain's 77-year wait for a men's winner in their own tournament and the celebrations and accolades it brought.
But while it would be going too far to suggest Murray is burnt out there is no doubt that his recent form has been well below his own lofty standards.
He lost to Latvian Ernest Gulbis in the third round at Montreal and was beaten in straight sets by Czech Tomas Berdych in the Cincinnati Masters event last month.
While he reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows without any major scare there looked to be a clear lack of sparkle about his play.
Murray said winning Wimbledon had been a physically and mentally draining experience.
"It's been challenging both ways for different reasons. I mean, physically I played some extremely tough matches in that period," said Murray.
"Mentally, as well, it was very challenging for me to play Wimbledon. The last few games of Wimbledon to you guys may not seem like much, but to me it was extremely challenging."
Murray has been extremely consistent in Grand Slams, having reached the last eight in each one he entered in the past three years and his most recent four have produced two wins and two runners-up spots.
But it is clear that brings increased expectation which Murray suggested might not be fair.
"Well, I don't know; if I'm meant to win every Grand Slam I play or be in the final, it's just very, very difficult just now," he said. "With the guys around us, it's very challenging."
US Open - Nadal to face Djokovic in New York final
After Djokovic needed five sets to deal with a determined Stanislas Wawrinka in the earlier semi-final, Nadal's task seemed almost routine against an opponent he has now beaten in all 11 meetings between the pair.
Nadal swiftly broke Gasquet's first serve of the match, when the Frenchman found the net and held his serve with relative ease to take the first set in 43 minutes.
But the second-seed was pushed hard by the astute Frenchman in the second set.
After Nadal again started by breaking Gasquet in the first game, the Frenchman fought back, breaking to go 2-2 and eventually forcing a tiebreak.
But that decider was a one-sided affair which Gasquet started and ended with a double-fault as Nadal ran out 7-1 winner.
Nadal then broke in the second game of the third, with a magnificent forehand down the line, set to take full command of the match which he secured when Gasquet ended the third set with two double faults on the final two points.
US Open - Path to men's semi-finals
(Prefix denotes seeding, q-qualifier, wc-wild card)
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia), world number one
First round - Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania) 6-1 6-2 6-2
Second round - Benjamin Becker (Germany) 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2
Third round - Joao Sousa (Portugal) 6-0 6-2 6-2
Fourth round - Marcel Granollers (Spain) 6-3 6-0 6-0
Quarter-finals - 21-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-0
Time on court: eight hours, 46 minutes
v
9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland), world number 10
First round - Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 7-6(2) 6-3 6-2
Second round - q-Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) 7-5 7-6(8) 6-4
Third round - Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) 6-3 6-2 6-7(1) 7-6(7)
Fourth round - 5-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 3-6 6-1 7-6(6) 6-2
Quarter-finals - 3-Andy Murray (Britain) 6-4 6-3 6-2
Time on court: 13 hours, 12 minutes
--
2-Rafa Nadal (Spain), world number two
First round - wc-Ryan Harrison (U.S.) 6-4 6-2 6-2
Second round - q-Rogerio Dutra Silva (Brazil) 6-2 6-1 6-0
Third round - Ivan Dodig (Croatia) 6-4 6-3 6-3
Fourth round - 22-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-3 6-1
Quarter-finals - 19-Tommy Robredo (Spain) 6-0 6-2 6-2
Time on court: 10 hours, 38 minutes
v
8-Richard Gasquet (France), world number nine
First round - Michael Russell (U.S.) 6-3 6-4 6-2
Second round - q-Stephane Robert (France) 6-3 7-5 7-5
Third round - 32-Dmitry Tursunov (Russia) 6-3 2-6 6-4 4-2 ret.
Fourth round - 10-Milos Raonic (Canada) 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(9) 7-5
Quarter-finals - 4-David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3
Time on court: 14 hours, 47 minutes
US Open - Paths to women's semi-finals at US Open
1-Serena Williams (US), world number one
First round - beat Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 6-0 6-1
Second round - beat Galina Voskoboeva (Kazakhstan) 6-3 6-0
Third round - beat Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) 6-3 6-1
Fourth round - beat Sloane Stephens (US) 6-4 6-1
Quarter-finals - beat Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) 6-0 6-0
Total time on court: five hours, 42 minutes
v
5-Li Na (China), world number six
First round - beat Olga Govortsova (Belarus) 6-2 6-2
Second round - beat Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden) 6-2 6-2
Third round - beat Laura Robson (Britain) 6-2 7-5
Fourth round - beat 9-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-3 6-0
Quarter-finals - beat Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2
Total time on court: six hours, 46 minutes
--
2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus), world number two
First round - beat Dinah Pfizenmaier (Germany) 6-0 6-0
Second round - Aleksandra Wozniak (Canada) 6-3 6-1
Third round - beat 26-Alize Cornet (France) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2
Fourth round - beat 13-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4-6 6-3 6-4
Quarter-finals - beat Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 6-2 6-3
Total time on court: eight hours, 19 minutes
v
Flavia Pennetta (Italy), world number 83
First round - beat Nicole Gibbs (US) 6-0 6-2
Second round - beat 4-Sara Errani (Italy) 6-3 6-1
Third round - beat 27-Sevetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 7-5 6-1
Fourth round - beat 21-Simona Halep (Romania) 6-2 7-6(3)
Quarter-finals - beat 10-Roberta Vinci (Italy) 6-4 6-1
Total time on court: six hours, two minutes
US Open - Pennetta bows out after exceeding expectations
Three times previously Pennetta has been beaten at the quarter-final stage at Flushing Meadows and few had anticipated doing better just a year after a serious wrist injury.
"It wouldn't be right to leave here feeling regrets. It has been a great tournament for me," the Italian said after her 6-4 6-2 loss.
"Sure, there is a little bit of a bitter taste in my mouth about losing but this has been a super and positive week.
"I played the number two in the world and I had my chances," added the 31-year-old from Puglia.
Having returned from injury slowly, with some poor results in the first half of the year, Pennetta showed throughout the tournament a wide range of shots and an ability to mix them up.
But while her best ever performance in a Grand Slam comes just 12 months after missing the US Open while she sat at home recovering from wrist surgery, Pennetta rejected the notion that she was enjoying a second career.
"I don't think so. There are ups and downs in every career and each game only lasts for one day and you have to move on to the next one," she said.
"I really didn't expect to arrive at this level this year to be honest."
In the past Pennetta has had a tendency to be over-adventurous but she said against Azarenka she had reined in her attacking instincts.
"To beat these kind of players you have to play very aggressively, you have to try to find more winners and in that case you're going to miss more also.
"But actually today I think I didn't do it too much. I didn't go for a big, big winners all the time.
"She's stronger than me and in the end she was winning more points than me."
US Open - Pennetta proud of hard climb to last four
Italy has had a woman in the last eight for each of the past six events at Flushing Meadows and this year it was unseeded Pennetta who beat 10th seed compatriot Roberta Vinci to reach the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career.
It was the fourth quarter-final appearance at Flushing Meadows for Pennetta but the first that she has won and comes a year after she needed major wrist surgery.
"These are the two most beautiful weeks of my life, I feel like a player again after all the problems that I've had," said Pennetta, who also had to deal with a hamstring injury in June.
"I feel great at the moment, New York is a place that is truly incredible for me, it is so full of good memories."
After struggling to get back to full form in the first half of this year, the 31-year-old entered Wimbledon ranked 166th in the world but a run to the fourth round indicated she was on the way back.
So far at the US Open she has done enough to secure a top 40 spot in the rankings given straight-set wins over American Nicole Gibbs, compatriot and fourth-seed Sara Errani, Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova and Romanian Simona Halep.
Next up for Pennetta is either Belarusian second seed Victoria Azarenka or Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova but for a moment on Wednesday she was able to reflect on her hard road back, remembering how she spent last year's tournament, a week after the operation on her right wrist.
"I was at Brindisi, recovering from the operation and I was with my parents and watching some of the tennis on the television," said Pennetta.
"I was pleased that Sara was having an excellent tournament but on the other hand I was very unhappy that I wasn't here.
"I have to say that I only watched to see how the Italians were doing and then switched it off, I didn't follow all the matches and results."
She did, of course, wonder about her chances of getting back in the mix at a venue where she had reached the last eight in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
"I hoped I could do it. It didn't come so easy at the start of the year for me but of course I wanted to get back and I hoped I could," she said.
"I just try to keep working and working in the same way every day. I starting to feel more my forehand, my backhand. Everything starting to feel more normal in the way it was before the injury," she said.
"And I think I've played really good tennis here, especially with Sara and with Kuznetsova. Every day has felt much better," she added.
"I'm proud of myself now. I'm 31, and physically I feel good at last. I'm in my first semi-final in a Grand Slam. There is nothing else to say."
US Open - Pennetta triumphs in all-Italian quarter-final
The 31-year-old Pennetta's 6-4 6-1 triumph secured her spot in the last four of the year's final Grand Slam against either second seed Victoria Azarenka or Daniela Hantuchova, who are scheduled to playing later on Wednesday.
A US Open record five 30-somethings had reached the last 16, including 30-year-old Vinci, and Pennetta's victory made it at least a trio into the semi-finals.
"I think we just keep playing. Before the career of the woman was shorter, they retired early," Pennetta said about the rise of the 30-somethings at Flushing Meadows.
"It's good to stay physical, in a good way, and play this good tennis at this age. I'm proud of me now."
Hantuchova, 30, of Slovakia is another of the mature set with a chance to advance, while the other semi-final has already been set with defending champion Serena Williams going against fellow 31-year-old Li Na of China.
The good-natured match between the Italian friends who have competed against one another since they were 10 turned into a rout by the second set, which Pennetta raced through in 24 minutes against an error-prone Vinci.
"It was of course a special day for us," said Vinci, who is part of the world number one ranked women's doubles team with fellow Italian Sara Errani, who is still busy defending their US Open double title.
"Is a great chance to go to the semi-final. This time she won, but I think that I'm happy, too, about this tournament."
Following the all-Italian women's quarter-final was a men's last eight showdown between fourth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain and France's Richard Gasquet.
Rounding out the Day 10 schedule at the US National Tennis Center was a quarter-final tilt between second seed Rafa Nadal and his fellow-Spaniard Tommy Robredo, the 19th seed, following the Azarenka-Hantuchova match.
Pennetta, ranked 83rd as she works her way back from a wrist injury that curtailed her 2012 season and made her miss last year's US Open, has continued a strong history of success at Flushing Meadows.
After advancing the quarters in 2008, 2009 and 2011, Pennetta has not dropped a set in her march to the semi-finals, dropping just 25 games in her five victories.
Pennetta had no specific answer to explain her affinity for the US National Tennis Center.
"I don't know. I just enjoy to play here," she said.
Against her Italian Fed Cup team-mate, Pennetta turned a close match into a rout as she induced 28 unforced errors from Vinci, who kept pressing the action without great success, winning just 18 of 34 points she contested at the net.
Their quarter of their draw was something of a festival for the Italians.
In playing Pennetta, Vinci was facing her third successive compatriot, having beaten unseeded Camila Giorgi and Karin Knapp in previous rounds.
Pennetta eliminated fourth seed Errani in the second round.
This marked the sixth year Italy has had a player in the quarter-finals, and second year in a row that two Italians had reached the quarters.
US Open - Serena, Azarenka battle in US Open rematch
Open.
World number one Williams will be shooting for her 17th grand slam singles title and fifth U.S. crown when she defends against two-time reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka, who fell 7-5 in the third set to Serena in last year's Flushing Meadows final.
Williams said she and Azarenka have no trouble getting their game faces on for a showdown.
"We completely get along, and once the match is on we are completely opponents," said Williams. "That's what it's about.
"We leave everything on the court, play as hard as we can, almost as if we've never met each other in our lives."
Azarenka said Williams brings out the best in her.
"She's obviously an amazing player. She's the greatest of all time," said the 24-year-old Belarussian.
"When you play against Serena, you have to play your best because she makes me play my best.
"I think I kind of do the same way to her. I think we kind of raise each other's level all the time and take each other to the limit - to go out of that place where you sometimes don't know how far you can go, but you just still go for it."
Williams leads their career head-to-head 12-3, but Azarenka is gaining ground with wins in two of their last three meetings.
The world number two beat the American in the final in Cincinnati, taking the U.S. Open run-up event by 8-6 in a third-set tiebreaker, and in the final this year at Doha.
"You've got to fight," Azarenka said about taking on Williams. "You've got to run, you've got to grind, and you've got to bite with your teeth for whatever opportunity you have."
Williams, a 6-0 6-3 winner against China's Li Na in the semi-finals, has been overpowering in the tournament, losing a mere 16 games from six straight wins.
Azarenka has been more uneven, dropping two sets along the way and struggling at times to hold serve, but she looked to be approaching top form with her 6-4 6-2 demolition of Italian Flavia Pennetta in the semi-finals.
Williams said she expected Azarenka to raise her level when they face off in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I definitely feel like when she plays me she plays her best, by far. I have seen her play other players, and when I play her I'm playing a totally different player," Williams said. "Obviously, she brings her best game."
Williams shrugged off her recent results against Azarenka, saying the grand slam stage was an entirely different matter.
"Different energy, different opportunities. This is for a grand slam," underlined Williams. "I mean, she's trying to win yet another one, I'm trying to win one myself."
Azarenka has yet to beat Williams in a grand slam event, losing all seven of their previous meetings.
Williams, who won her first slam singles 14 years ago by defeating Martina Hingis at the U.S. Open, has become increasingly aware of her status on the all-time lists, saying that she measured greatness by the numbers.
A 17th grand slam title would put her just one shy of two of her tennis heroes - Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who share fourth place on the all-time list of most grand slam singles trophies.
"I thought about that, but I can't think about that," said Williams about her quest to reach 18. "It's still so close but it's still so far. I have to win against a great player and I have to play great tennis."
A win for Williams, who turns 32 this month, would put her in the record books as the oldest U.S. Open women's champion since tennis turned professional in 1968, eclipsing Australian Margaret Court, who was 31 years and 55 days old when she triumphed in 1973.
Victory will be extra lucrative for Sunday's winner.
Besides the $2.6 million prize for claiming the title, Williams would receive a $1 million bonus for having won the U.S. Open series of run-up events, while Azarenka would pocket an additional $500,000 with the win for being the Open series runner-up.
US Open - Serena, Azarenka one step from title rematch
Williams, the top-seeded defending champion, will look to extend a dominant run through the women's draw against fifth-seeded Li Na of China, who became the first Chinese to reach the last four at the US Open.
Second seed Azarenka will face Italy's unseeded Flavia Pennetta, whose brilliant run at Flushing Meadows has carried her to her first Grand Slam semi-final.
Should form prevail, Williams and Azarenka would set up the first repeat final at the US Open since Serena Williams played her sister Venus Williams for the prize in 2002.
Azarenka, 24, joined the trio of 31 year olds with a last-eight victory over 30-year-old Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in a women's draw that has underlined the fitness and ferocity of the old guard.
Should they lift the trophy on Sunday, Williams, Li or Pennetta would become the oldest US Open women's winner since tennis turned professional in 1968, supplanting Australian Margaret Court, who was 31 years and 55 days old when she triumphed in 1973.
Williams has been on fire, losing only 13 games and spent the least time on court although she has done double duty playing with sister Venus in the women's doubles.
The American aced her quarter-finals test against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro by delivering a 6-0 6-0 double bagel win.
Williams later offered a shuddering thought.
"I like to believe there is always room for improvement," she said.
Against former French Open winner Li, current French Open champion Williams holds an 8-1 advantage in head-to-head meetings, but has had some hard battles along the way. She won their last encounter in Cincinnati 7-5 7-5 in the semis.
Williams holds the Chinese player in high regard.
"She's a great challenge," Williams said. "She moves really well. She does everything well.
"We've always played really close. Maybe next time we play she might want to go from close to a win."
Li has been on a revenge tour, beating Briton Laura Robson to avenge a 2012 US Open loss, and Serb Jelena Jankovic, who had enjoyed a four-match winning streak against her.
"It's a good challenge to play against her, because I think we always have tough match, even in Cincinnati," said Li.
"There are only four players at end of the tournament, so nothing you can worry about. Just play the tennis. Just enjoy the time."
Azarenka and Pennetta have split their two previous matches, missing a crack at a rubber match when the Belarusian withdrew from their second-round Wimbledon contest this year because of a knee injury.
Pennetta, like Williams, has not dropped a set during her US Open run and is back to playing at her best level after having her 2012 season curtailed by a wrist injury that kept her out of the US Open and required surgery.
"I'm confident because I'm here," said Pennetta, who ousted fourth-seeded compatriot Sara Errani, former champion Svetlana Kunznetsova and red-hot Simona Halep along the way.
"I really don't feel this pressure. In Italy we already have one champion in Grand Slam," she said, referring to 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.
"I really don't feel this pressure right now."
Azarenka, who overcame former number one Ana Ivanovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the fourth round, said she would not underestimate the Italian despite her ranking of 83.
"Flavia is such an amazing person," said Azarenka. "To see her go through the injuries and coming up with the best results she has right now, it's really amazing.
"She's a very good player, an all-around player. She can do anything. She has great touch, great variety. She can create power, create spin. She's also very experienced and has been in the top 10.
"Her ranking doesn't matter. It's about the moment right now, and she's playing terrific tennis."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)