An upset and a new queen.

Karolina Pliskova played brilliantly to defeat 22-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in straight sets 6-2 7-6. That means Angelique Kerber (who defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the second semifinal) will replace Serena as the new number 1 in the WTA rankings on Monday. She will be the first German to top the rankings since Steffi Graf back in 1997.

Relive the semifinals through Brian’s tweets:

Photo credit: Porsche AG

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Many people (including me) had made Andy Murray their favorite to win this year’s US Open. And it all started well in his quarterfinal against Kei Nishikori as he won the first set 6-1. But Nishikori rallied from one set down, and then 2 sets to one down to win in 5 sets: 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-5. What a roller coaster of a match!

Relive the match through Brian’s tweets:

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Today I’ve got tickets for court Lenglen. In the first match of the day, 2014 Roland Garros finalist Simona Halep rallied from one set down to beat Naomi Osaka 4-6 6-2 6-3.

The view from my seat, row 25:

In Roland Garros’ newspaper today, the extraordinary story of Marcel Bernard, who took the singles title here in 1946. He was at first only committed in the mixed doubles and mens doubles competitions, but took part to the singles tournament due to the withdrawal of his his mixed doubles partner. He defeated Jaroslav Drobny in the final in five sets. It was the first Roland Garros tournament after a 6-year hiatus due to World War II.
The Roland Garros mixed doubles trophy is now known as the “Coupe Marcel Bernard”. The stadium in which the Open du Nord is played is named after him.

Marcel Bernard (left) and Jaroslav Drobny:

Andy Murray defeats Ivo Karlovic 6-1 6-4 7-6

Will we see the grumpy player who struggled to beat Stepanek and Bourgue in the previous rounds or the champion who defeated Nadal in Madrid and Djokovic in Rome? From the first points on, it was obvious it would be the latter. Murray looked sharp and focused, and Karlovic was in danger on each of his service games. Murray dispatched Karlovic in three sets, his 7th win in seven meetings with the Croat. You can find the complete recap of the match here.
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No trouble for Andy Murray after two nerve-wracking five-set marathon matches in the previous rounds, as he dispatched Ivo Karlovic 6-1 6-4 7-6 on court Lenglen. A quick start, a dominating second set and a solid third set, and Murray reaches the fourth round where he’ll meet another big-server, John Isner.
Karlovic was in danger on each of his service games in the first two sets, and even if he tried to change tactics and come to the net, he clearly has not the weapons to bother Andy on clay.

At the end of the traditional post-match interview on court, Fabrice Santoro asked him to tell in Fench what he’d order for dinner this evening. His reply: “filet de boeuf, frites maison, salade verte and that’s it”.

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Dominika Cibulkova defeats Ana Konjuh 6-4 3-6 6-0

Back to Roland Garros today and I’m back on court 17 to watch a match that looks exciting … on paper.
A former junior number one, Ana Konjuh was touted as a future top ten player. Aged 18, she won her first WTA tournament in Nottingham last year. As for Dominika Cibulkova, semifinalist here in 2009, she had a good clay-court season, with a final in Madrid.

Lots of unforced errors from both players. Not a really enjoyable match.

Cibulkova can’t stay still for a second. For her gruntings for first point on are really annoying.

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