Venus & Serena Williams: US Open Players of Day Nine

Sep 6, 2015; New York, NY, USA;

Serena Williams of the USA celebrates after a shot to Madison Keys of the USA on day seven of the 2015 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

US Open Players of Day Nine: Venus & Serena Williams

Yes, I cheated and picked two women as the standout players of day nine. But anyone who tuned into the Williams sisters match will be well aware not only of how remarkable the contest between the sisters was, but also of how deserving they are of recognition.

There may never be two women, let alone sisters, who leave such a lasting impression on the game of tennis. They completely translated the game for a new era with their powerful serves and groundstrokes. And with 28 grand slams between them thus far, they have left an unequivocal, indelible mark on the game.

Right now, of course, attention is centred on younger sister Serena and her potentially historic run to the US Open title. A title grab would be her fifth of her last five grand slams and her fourth for the year.

To do so, though, she was forced to once again engage in a clash with sister Venus. This time it would take place in the quarterfinals of the US Open. The match was heavily hyped and, unlike many blockbuster matchups, it didn’t disappoint.

Serena took the first set, 6-3, with a performance reminiscent of her dominant, insurmountable best. Even with a mere 57% 1st serve percentage, Serena’s +13 differential of winners to unforced errors ensured that no one, including sister Venus, could defeat her.

In the second set, Serena appeared much more human, as opposed to that borderline-celestial athlete of the first set. Her unforced errors count climbed, while her 1st serve percentage and winners count plummeted. Meanwhile, Venus was as consistent as ever, ultimately winning the set 6-1.

Unfortunately for Venus, vintage Serena returned for the final set. And the 21-time grand slam champ struck 8 aces to hold on to her hopes for that record-equalling 22nd grand slam.

Even after the many years that these two have been on tour, they still know how to put on a spectacle for the tennis fans in Flushing Meadows. The match was (mostly) high quality, but it probably wouldn’t have mattered had it been an error-fest. The magic of the match was the emotional relationship underpinning each swing and strike of the ball. The post-match hug at the net told the tale the match: two women with a deep love and respect for each other, on the path to history.

Obviously, Serena will move on to meet Roberta Vinci in the semifinal, where she will be the undisputed favourite to reach the US Open final. And she undoubtedly warrants any acclaim thrown her way. But Venus also deserves recognition for the role that she played in Serena’s path to a (probable) title victory, and in Serena’s career.

For once again demonstrating just how paramount their presence has been to women’s tennis, both Venus and Serena Williams are our Player(s) of the Day for Day Nine of the US Open.

Winner: Roberta Vinci

After a heavy fall down the rankings, two-time US Open quarterfinalist Roberta Vinci wasn’t expected to go deep at this year’s US Open. But despite her low ranking and her previous heartbreaking – not to mention quick – US Open quarterfinal losses, Roberta Vinci managed to reach her first grand slam semifinal at the ripe old age of 32. Vinci will take on 33 year-old Serena Williams in the semifinals, in a matchup that again shows that 30 is the new 20.

Loser: Jo Wilfried-Tsonga

After falling 2 sets to love to Marin Cilic in their quarterfinal clash, Tsonga clawed his way back to level the match at 2-2. With the momentum in his favour heading into the deciding set, Tsonga allowed Cilic to claim an elusive break and take the match. Tsonga produced a strong hustle in the third and fourth sets, but ultimately wasted a very realistic opportunity to reach his first US Open semifinal.

Former Players of the Day

Day Eight: Kevin Anderson

Day Seven: Kristina Mladenovic

Day Six: Victoria Azarenka

Day Five: Fabio Fognini

Day Four: Johanna Konta

Day Three: Madison Keys

Day Two: Caroline Wozniacki

Day One: Benoit Paire

Who do you think was the best player of day nine of the US Open? Let us know in the comments below!

Next: Power Ranking Serena Williams and the Top 25 Women Before the US Open

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