US Open day 10: Andrey Rublev’s frustrations, age really just a number for Serena Williams

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Serena Williams celebrating

We look back on day 10 at the US Open at Flushing Meadows as moms inspire moms, Andrey Rublev’s short fuse blows while Serena Williams keeps it real at 38.

Williams took another step towards that elusive record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title after coming from behind to beat Tsvetana Pironkova and reach the US Open semi-finals, where she will face former world number one Victoria Azarenka.

Meanwhile, second seed Dominic Thiem beat Alex De Minaur to set up a blockbuster last-four meeting with last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev.

Picture of the day

Andrey Rublev
(Seth Wenig/AP)

Andrey Rublev let his suspect temperament get the better of him in his quarter-final defeat to Medvedev.

Mother’s day

Williams paid tribute to her fellow mother Pironkova, who pushed the American to the limit in her first tournament in three years. Another mum, Azarenka, awaits after she beat Elise Mertens.

Shot of the day

Medvedev painting the lines with a pinpoint winner.

Performance of the day

Victoria Azarenka delighted

Azarenka was in no mood to hang around (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Azarenka, who was world number one eight years ago, rolled back the years by dismantling Mertens 6-1, 6-0 in just 73 minutes. Mertens, the 16th seed, did not even manage a hold of serve.

Stat of the day

Azarenka is bidding to become only the second former US Open girls’ singles champions to win the women’s singles title. Lindsay Davenport remains the only player to do so, winning the junior title in 1992 and the big one six years later.

Quote of the day

“I feel like age is really how you feel mentally and how your body is doing and how you physically are able to keep it up… If you think of it as just a number, then that’s all it is.” – Serena Williams, still keeping it real at 38

Shock of the day

Never mind the power outage which briefly delayed play in the first set between Medvedev and Rublev: the courtside suit star – believed to be a catering official – was back with another dazzling display of sartorial excess.

Miss of the day

Dominic Thiem serving

Thiem served up victory (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Thiem hit a serve so far long he felt compelled to challenge it himself after it was called in. Somehow the line judge and chair umpire both missed it. Thiem went on to win in three sets.

Fallen seeds

Women: Elise Mertens (16)
Men: Andrey Rublev (10), Alex De Minaur (21)

Up next

Fourth seed and former champion Naomi Osaka takes on American Jennifer Brady in the first semi-final, before Williams takes centre stage against Azarenka.

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Daniil Medvedev Serena Williams

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