US Open Day 5: Serena wins sister battle, Nadal had to fight through five sets

Serena Williams defeated sister Venus in a stress-free match, but left fans wondering if she’s fit to continue after having her ankle taped up. Same with Nadal, who had to tend to a problematic knee.

Serena Williams easily defeated older sister Venus Williams on Arthur Ashe, 6-1, 6-2, but took a medical time out to have her ankle wrapped. But the 36 year-old tennis legend said everything’s fine and is gunning for a record 24^th grand slam. She’s already surpassed the Open Era record of Stefi Graf’s 23 last year, and she came so close during the Wimbledon final against Angelique Kerber. The American player said she’s stronger than ever going into the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

"“This was my best match since I returned,” Serena said after the match, via The Guardian. “I worked for it. I worked really hard these last three or four months. That’s life, you have to keep working hard no matter ups or downs you have. That’s what I’ve been doing.”"

Serena owns six U.S. Open titles, currently tied with Chris Evert’s record. Another win in New York would allow her to own the record outright.

Also dealing with a physical issue was Rafael Nadal, who fought a hard match against Karen Khachanov, battling through five sets, and ultimately squeezing out the win against the 27^th seed Russian, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6(7), 7-6(3). The Spaniard had to have his knee taped up, but managed to fend off an inspired Khachanov to make it to the fourth round, getting closer to defending his title in New York. Nadal insisted that he will be fully fit for his match against world No. 37 Nikoloz Basilashvil.

"“[It was] Just something that I felt, but I try always during the tournaments to not speak much about these kind of things,” Nadal said afterwards, according to The Express.“When the tournament is over it is better and easier to talk. But my personal feeling is I’m going to be at my 100% for the next one.”"

The Argentines came out to cheer on their favorite tennis player, Juan Martin del Potro, who poured on the juice to clock in the win around 1:00 a. m. to a surprisingly enthusiastic crowd at that late hour, 7-5 7-6(6) 6-3. Delpo’s fans have got to be the most vocal on the Tour, and the 2009 U.S. Open champion pointed to a box of Argentinians who he’s known since he was five, and thanked them for traveling to see him.

"“It was a really nice fight for both. We played three great sets tonight and people enjoyed the fight,” the world No. 3 said during an on-court interview, viewed on ESPN.“He was a good fighter tonight so I give all my best to him.”"

Delpo’s having a good week. He also got to see the Bruce Springsteen musical on Broadway while in New York, and meet ‘The Boss’ himself. If the ‘Tower of Tandil’ keeps going, let’s hope Springsteen will show up for one of his matches.

The reigning U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens was a dominant force to contend with for Victoria Azarenka, who couldn’t stop the Sloane Stephens train from rolling on through. To cap off her straight sets victory over the two-time Australian Open champion, Stephens finished off the match with this incredible winner:

https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens/status/1035622750004502528

Day five was a beautiful day of competitive tennis, but Saturday promises one of the most anticipated matchups with Roger Federer going toe-to-toe with Nick Kyrgios.

TV coverage of the U.S. Open can be viewed on the ESPN channels.

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