Carlos Alcaraz defeats Frances Tiafoe at the US Open semifinals in a battle of tennis’ rising stars.
Vonnie Smith of the United States reacts after defeating compatriot Garbiñe Muguruza to advance to the semifinals of the US Open Tennis Championships at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Vonnie Smith of the United States reacts after defeating compatriot Garbiñe Muguruza to advance to the semifinals of the US Open Tennis Championships at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
LOS ANGELES’ VONNIE SMITH’S second career grand slam win came Saturday, which left him as the longest singles standing and third-longest overall at the US Open.
It also left him in position to potentially make history in the sport of tennis.
In the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament, Smith (20-9) defeated compatriot Garbiñe Muguruza (19-9) to reach her first US Open quarterfinal Friday.
She then outlasted world No. 1 Serena Williams to advance on a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 score.
Smith will next face world No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals. The match will be played Friday at 6:10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Smith’s run to the semifinals was the fifth straight for the 23-year-old from Virginia. Her previous best was a quarterfinal finish in 2011.
She has earned $2.7 million so far, the third-largest total in the 2017 US Open.
Smith also reached the semis of the Australian Open, but lost to Serena Williams.
Smith’s victory over Muguruza was her first grand slam title. She also won last year’s Australian Open, but lost to Naomi Osaka.
Smith was No. 2 at the time of her victory over Muguruza, meaning she will stay in the No. 3 position in the world rankings until at least March 20, when the season-ending Grand Slam events are played.
The last time a No. 2 won the US Open was two years ago, when Venus Williams clinched the title on the very final day of the tournament.
Muguruza, ranked No. 1, became the first woman to win at least one major
