RICKY REVIEWS • NADAL, KHACHANOV BRING THE DRAMA TO ASHE AS SERENA-VENUS IS ONE SIDED

Written by: Staff on 31st August 2018

RICKY REVIEWS • NADAL, KHACHANOV BRING THE DRAMA TO ASHE AS SERENA-VENUS IS ONE SIDED

epa06988335 Karen Khachanov of Russia (R) reacts as he plays Rafael Nadal of Spain during the fifth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 31 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABAGNGLO |

Karen Khachanov of Russia (R) reacts as he plays Rafael Nadal of Spain during the fifth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 31 August 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABAGNGLO

By Ricky Dimon

Serena Williams took the drama out of her third-round U.S. Open match against big sister Venus Williams in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night. In the 30th career contest between the legendary sisters, Serena cruised 6-1, 6-2 to book her spot in the second week of the season’s final major.

“It feels good for the match to be over with,” the 36-year-old commented. “Win or lose, it just feels good that that’s done.”

She certainly seemed in a hurry to get it over with. Serena slammed 34 winners–20 more than Venus–and dominated in a mere one hour and 12 minutes.

“I think it’s by far the best match I ever played against her in forever,” Serena assessed. “But I don’t know about ever, ever. It probably was. I played much better tonight than I have since I started this journey on my way back.”

“I think it’s the best match she’s ever played against me,” Venus added. “I don’t think I did a lot wrong. But she just did everything right. Obviously that level is definitely where she’s going to want to stay during this whole tournament. She played so well, I never got to really even touch any balls. When your opponent plays like that, it’s not really anything to be upset about. The only thing I maybe could have done was put more first serves in–even they she returned the first serve really well. Any shot that I hit great, she hit a greater shot. Not a lot I can do.”

Friday was, however, not without drama. Rafael Nadal and Karen Khachanov provided it for the day-session faithful in Arthur Ashe, as the world No. 1 held off a stern effort from the Russian to survive 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(7), 7-6(3) in four hours and 23 minutes.

Khachanov really had Nadal on the ropes to the extent that he served for a two-set lead late in the second. Although the Spaniard broke back and stole that set, he never managed to gain complete control of the match. He took both the third and fourth in tiebreakers, with the former being especially dramatic–complete with nervous errors and also unbelievable rallies.

“In general terms, I’m happy the way I played the tough moments,” Nadal noted. “The spirit of fight I think was good. At the end of the day is a great victory against a very tough opponent without playing at my highest level. But it was a great show, I think. Great [entertainment]. The crowd enjoyed, I think.”

Khachanov saw it similarly.

‘There were two tiebreaks, two sets 7-6, 7-6–he had chances, opportunities; I had opportunities,” the Khachanov said. “Just a very close match, yeah. Good match. I hope people enjoyed, especially first time for me on Arthur Ashe. The atmosphere was amazing.”