US Open 2018: Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal & Sloane Stephens set for hot quarters

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Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens defeated fellow American Madison keys to win the US Open title in 2017
2018 US Open
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 27 August-9 September Coverage: Live radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra; live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website

US Open quarter-finalists will have to contend with more heat and humidity on Tuesday, a day after tennis' biggest names toiled in the conditions.

Six-time winner Serena Williams and defending champions Rafael Nadal and Sloane Stephens are all in action on Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach 34C in New York.

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic struggled on Monday and Kei Nishikori said the heat "really hit him".

He added: "Glad I won in three sets."

Djokovic also came through in three sets against Portugal's Joao Sousa, despite coming off court for medical treatment, and Japan's Nishikori, overcame Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

Women's world number 36 Lesia Tsurenko also suffered in the conditions during her win over Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova.

The Ukrainian said: "I was really dizzy and I asked nature or God or somebody, 'please move the shade over faster'."

American Stephens continues her defence on Tuesday against Latvia's 19th seed Anastasija Sevastova, which begins under the midday sun on Arthur Ashe.

That will be followed by Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro's contest against another American, and Wimbledon semi-finalist, John Isner.

Williams and Nadal will take to the main stage at Flushing Meadows in the later session. Williams, 36, is up against Karolina Pliskova at midnight BST before Nadal takes on fellow French Open finalist Dominic Thiem.

The American has only twice played Pliskova in her career. The last time they met was at the 2016 US Open semi-finals when the Czech player came through in two sets.

"She came out strong and she came out very well," said the 23-time major winner. "I have watched her a great deal since then.

"I have taken a lot from that match and I think we are in different positions now. It will be an interesting match."

Williams and Stephens will face each other in an all-American semi-final if they both win on Tuesday.

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13 comments

  • Comment posted by Arbee, at 07:03 4 Sep 2018

    High heat and humidity forecast again today. Whatever your view of the competitors, you have to admire their resilience and levels of fitness. These conditions are brutal.

  • Comment posted by pops1980, at 14:35 4 Sep 2018

    @2. My first experience of proper humidity- i could barely walk never mind play a match. Tradition, schamdition. We need to look at the timings of the AO and the USOpen.

  • Comment posted by spanky, at 21:30 4 Sep 2018

    This has got nothing to do with fitness anymore if virtually all of the players are unable to perform to the highest level.
    It’s unsafe,dangerous and the quality of tennis 🎾 substandard
    compared to other slams .
    Why is there no air conditioning in the stadium once the roof closes?
    👎👎👎

  • Comment posted by pops1980, at 17:13 4 Sep 2018

    @8. The media are already talking of an All American SF. Pliskova is a former number one and beat Serena here last time they met.

  • Comment posted by Arbee, at 16:33 4 Sep 2018

    @6. Precisely.

  • Comment posted by AllSeeingEye, at 11:01 4 Sep 2018

    Looking forward to QF matches. More so now with the departures of Federer and Sharapova.

    Last ones standing are well conditioned athletes who are use to playing in all kinds of conditions. But New York has been especially brutal. For the sake of the athletes' well-being think they should have at least a 5 min break after every set especially if the matches will be starting at noon.

  • Comment posted by Tomas 33, at 23:46 4 Sep 2018

    I think these hardcourts should be banned because they are so damaging on joints .Why not revert to grass,clay or synthetic grass and let the players feel safe . That stadium is not suited to tennis ..it is like a huge saucepan retaining all the heat ..I do not know why the competitors do not strike .I felt very sorry for Federer and I agree with Spanky below

  • Comment posted by endangeredlogic, at 19:45 4 Sep 2018

    In these conditions fitness trumps finesse!

  • Comment posted by rooster booster, at 14:00 4 Sep 2018

    heat must play into rafas hands.and hes built like a brick ship house

  • Comment posted by Toto, at 17:57 4 Sep 2018

    @8. Posted by Finkelstein

    Is that AFTER the first set?

    Remind me not to ask you for the LOTTO numbers for Saturday. :-)

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 17:10 4 Sep 2018

    Hot and steamy is the forecast so its going to be energy sapping. Sloane Stephens has got better and better as the tournament progresses and I cant see Anastasija Sevastova getting any joy. Stephens to win.

    Karolina Pliskova should overcome the Williams as the humidity will take its toll on the much bigger Williams. If Pliskova can move Williams around the court gravity will do the rest.

  • Comment posted by MDestro, at 13:58 4 Sep 2018

    Nadal will be gutting himself laughing at the silly old fool getting beat last night. Not long now til he overtakes him in slams. This one, Aus next year and a couple more French Opens. Easy as pie. Old man Frauderer will be in tears when it happens; can't wait!

  • Comment posted by Sir Regulus, at 06:49 4 Sep 2018

    C’mon Novak or Nishikori,please please win this thing for Servia or for Nippon those great nations. I aslo like J Isner who deserves a grand slam what better than at his home the Meadows

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