On high alert after a day of upsets during which Serena Williams was sent packing from the US Open, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer made sure their names were not added to the list of shocks yesterday as they posted emphatic semi-final victories.
The tremors started early at Arthur Ashe Stadium with Flavia Pennetta crushing second seed Simona Halep 6-1 6-3, before Roberta Vinci rocked Flushing Meadows delivering one of the biggest upsets in tennis history with her semi-final win over Williams that punctured the American’s calendar Grand Slam dream.
Two victories from becoming the fourth woman to win all four majors in one year, a brittle-looking Williams crumbled as unseeded Vinci, playing in her first grand slam singles semi-final, battled to an improbable 2-6 6-4 6-4 win.
The results set the stage for an equally improbable all-Italian final.
“I don’t want to talk about how disappointing it is for me,” a grim-faced Williams told reporters.
“I told you guys I don’t feel pressure. I never felt pressure. I never felt that pressure to win here. I said that from the beginning.”
With the National Tennis Center buzzing over the exit of Williams, world number one Djokovic and second seed Federer restored order to the year’s final grand slam.
Djokovic needed just 85 minutes to secure passage to his fourth consecutive grand slam final, crushing defending US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-0 6-1 6-2.
The demolition was the worst ever in a US Open semi-final, the three games lost one fewer than the four Yevgeny Kafelnikov managed against Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.
Cilic, who confirmed later he was carrying a foot injury into the match, held his opening serve in the second but Djokovic had him quickly under pressure again with an early break, charging in front 4-1.
A razor sharp Djokovic, who converted eight of 14 break chances, remained ruthless to the very end, showing the wounded Cilic no mercy.
“Well, I knew that I’m not 100 per cent, even the last match I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent,” said Cilic.
“The foot was causing me obviously some trouble with the movement but Novak was able to expose me much more.
“Even coming before the match and thinking if I’m going to play or not, I decide to play, as it’s a grand slam tournament, it’s deep in the tournament.”
Efficient play
Federer, a five-times US Open winner, was equally efficient as he beat Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-3 6-1.
The all-time grand slam singles king with 17 titles, Federer heads into today’s final gunning to add to his record haul. He has not won a grand slam since 2012 Wimbledon.
The final will mark the 42nd meeting between the two great rivals, with Federer holding a wafer 21-20 advantage.
“Novak it’s been more straightforward, my opinion,” said Federer.
“That’s what I like about the rivalry. It’s very athletic. We both can handle... whatever we present to one another, and I think our matches, it’s very even.”
Late result
Women’s singles final: Pennetta bt Vinci 7-6 6-2.