Summary

  • Williams beats Kvitova 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-2) to reach semi-finals

  • Roof closed during second set on Arthur Ashe Stadium

  • Stephens beats Sevastova 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-4) to make last four

  • Carreno Busta beats Schwartzman 6-4 6-4 6-2 to make men's semis

  1. Postpublished at 01:29 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 1-3 Kvitova*

    A big few points in Petra Kvitova's US Open. She had the momentum before the roof closure, now she's trying to hold off a rejuvenated Venus Williams.

    Break point for the American.

  2. Postpublished at 01:28 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 1-3 Kvitova*

    Williams screams a forehand on the stretch back into Kvitova's path, the Czech bends her knees, lines it up and... catches the net.

    She dusts herself off with a mammoth serve that skipped up towards the head of Williams, who somehow manages to wriggle it beyond the tape and we have 30-30.

  3. Williams holdspublished at 01:25 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 1-3 Kvitova*

    That's just the service game Venus was after following that short closing-the-roof delay, but it's Kvitova who takes the prize for best challenge so far.

    That looked in to me, and to the umpire, but Hawk Eye says no.

    It's just a minor disturbance for Williams, mind. She holds.

  4. Rain on the waypublished at 01:24 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Piers Newbery
    BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

    The sound of paper cups flying out of hands and a rapidly emptying South Plaza suggests the locals are wiser than me, by both clearing out and packing waterproofs.

    New YorkImage source, BBC Sport
  5. Postpublished at 01:23 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    *Williams 6-3 0-3 Kvitova

    Enough rambling. Time for tennis.

    We left you with Venus Williams about to serve.

    Petra Kvitova jogs to her end, does a couple of squat jumps and then waits for the American to fling one in her direction.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 01:22 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    #bbctennis

    Rose Richards: Heart says Venus in two. Head says Petra in three.

  7. Postpublished at 01:20 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 0-3 *Kvitova

    David Law
    Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Flushing Meadows

    I don't think that there is going to be much of a dry up on the court now. They got the roof across pretty quickly. A couple of ball kids with white towels are out, drying off the lines.

  8. Postpublished at 01:19 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Venus Williams of the United States looks on during the change of endsImage source, Getty Images

    How would you describe Venus Williams' choice of outfit? I reckon it's got a bit of 'Wilma Flintstone does tennis' about it...

  9. Roof newspublished at 01:16 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    We have roof news... it's closing. Because there's 'weather in the area'.

    Both players are back in their seats, towels draped over their shoulders in a bid to keep warm.

    It shouldn't take long. It's almost closed... I promise.

  10. Stephens ready for zzzzzzzzzzzzzzpublished at 01:12 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Sloane StephensImage source, Sloane Stephens

    This is what two hours and 28 minutes of tennis, culminating in a final-set tie-break, does to you.

    Sloane Stephens awaits the winner of Kvitova-Williams in the semi-final.

    BBC Sport app users may need to select the link above.

  11. Postpublished at 01:12 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 0-3 *Kvitova

    David Law
    Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Flushing Meadows

    If Petra Kvitrova could bottle this backhand and replicate it whenever she wanted, she would be the best player in the world.

  12. Kvitova holdspublished at 01:12 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    *Williams 6-3 0-3 Kvitova

    Kvitova shows she can also mix up her service game and sends Venus sprawling towards the tramlines.

    The Czech has Williams on the run again, sucking her into the net with the deftest of drop shots and then nonchalantly volleying a winner down the middle.

    A fabulous cross-court backhand puts Kvitova in the driving seat once more and, finally, the 27-year-old sees off the threat of Williams.

    Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic celebratesImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 01:08 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 0-2 *Kvitova

    David Law
    Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Flushing Meadows

    It is a really strange sight to see the Petra Kvitova backhand being solid as a rock and the forehand flailing around.

    Petra Kvitova returns the ballImage source, AFP
    Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returnsImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 01:07 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 0-2 Kvitova*

    If the first set was thunderous, full of unforced errors and a bruising battle of big serves, then this second has slowed its way into some engaging rallies.

    There's a buzz around Ashe, but it's one of slight concern - that and probably wondering what's for dinner - as Kvitova looks to take the game to Williams.

    But it's the consistency of the American that's winning out. Two break points.

  15. Busy Borispublished at 01:04 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Piers Newbery
    BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

    "Who is that?"

    "Boris Becker."

    "Boris...... Becker...."

    I can't be sure that everyone gathered to watch Boris Becker carry out TV duties was totally familar with the 1989 US Open champion, but plenty were as he drew a crowd outside Ashe. Media work must now be combined with his new role as head of German tennis, so a busy time ahead.

    New YorkImage source, BBC Sport
  16. Kvitova breakspublished at 01:04 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    *Williams 6-3 0-2 Kvitova

    Venus Williams of the United StatesImage source, Getty Images

    Venus Williams takes inspiration from a Test match bowler and throws in a slower serve that catches out Kvitova.

    We go to deuce, and Kvitova appears to be finding her range. What's left in the Venus bag of tricks?

    Not that slow second serve. Kvitova gobbles it up and then muscles in on a net ball to power her way into a break.

  17. Kvitova needs to find her rangepublished at 01:00 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    The first-set stats don't make pretty reading for Petra Kvitova - only 3/10 points won on second serve. 13/23 on first serve isn't too clever either.

    The winners-unforced errors count was 8-8 for Williams and 6-16 for Kvitova.

    Going for too much?

    Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic servesImage source, Getty Images
  18. Kvitova holdspublished at 00:59 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    *Williams 6-3 0-1 Kvitova

    It's a good recovery from the Czech. When she gets her eye in, there aren't many players on the circuit who can out-power her.

    Kvitova punches her way to 40-15 and then leaps up to meet a bouncing Williams return with a two-handed backhand that skips beyond the American before she even has chance to swivel in its direction.

  19. Postpublished at 00:57 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 0-0 Kvitova*

    Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic returnsImage source, Getty Images

    That's the first set Petra Kvitova has lost this tournament.

    She starts the second in the same way she began the first, with a double fault.

  20. 'Kvitova needs more variety'published at 00:57 British Summer Time 6 September 2017

    Williams 6-3 Kvitova*

    Jeff Tarango
    Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows

    That was a pretty impressive set from Venus Williams, coming back from 3-1 down. There were 16 unforced errors from Kvitova after she started off on top.

    I would tell Kvitova to go for one big serve per game and for the rest, keep mixing up the variety. She needs to throw in a few more slice shots with her groundstrokes as well.