Summary

  • Serena Williams beats Karolina Pliskova to reach semi-finals

  • American 17th seed wins 6-4 6-3 at Flushing Meadows

  • Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro through to semi-finals on Friday

  • Third seed beats John Isner 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-2

  • 2017 champion Sloane Stephens knocked out by Anastasija Sevastova

  • Latvia's Sevastova through to semi-finals with 6-2 6-3 victory

  • Rafael Nadal plays Dominic Thiem in the last match of day nine

  • Extreme heat policy in place as New York temperature causes problems

Live Reporting

Saj Chowdhury and Matthew Henry

  1. 'I really feel like right now I'm playing free'

    Serena Williams on her fightback from 4-2 down in the first set: "The crowd was really rooting for me. I felt so bad because everybody was cheering and I wasn't winning so I had to try harder.

    "I really feel like right now I'm playing free. This time last year I was having a baby. I'm just on my way on the tour and doing the best I can.

    "When I get to a Grand Slam I just want to do really well.

    On film-maker Spike Lee comparing her to Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan:

    "I have no words. especially Ali because he did so much for sport. I want to inspire people off the court and that's my dream.

    Williams on semi-final opponent Anastasija Sevastova: "I just want to get past the semis here. I've had a couple of rough semis here. I hope to see you guys out there."

  2. Jeff Tarango
    Former professional tennis player at Flushing Meadows

    The 4-2 lead in the first set for Pliskova was a little disguised. It made her think she was doing enough she kept doing what she was doing. She had to turn it up a little and had to think that the greatest female player would get better.

  3. Jeff Tarango
    Former professional tennis player at Flushing Meadows

    You can't wear a tutu and not do a pirouette.

  4. game, set and match

    Game, set and match Williams

    Williams 6-4 6-3 Pliskova

    Ace.

    Game.

    Set.

    Match.

    Williams.

    The six-time champion is through to her ninth straight US Open semi-final.

  5. Williams 6-4 5-3 Pliskova*

    Ace.

    Ace.

    No ace, but overhead smash winner.

    Three match points....

  6. *Williams 6-4 5-3 Pliskova

    The 23-time champion then produces another stunning forehand.

    Deuce.

    The home favourite is looking to end this now.

    Pliskova fires down an ace and then another to hold.

    Williams will have to do this on her terms.

  7. Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows

    The last top 10 player Serena Williams beat was Johanna Konta at the Australian Open in 2017.

  8. *Williams 6-4 5-2 Pliskova

    15-15.

    Can Pliskova produce the near impossible are turn this match around?

    Don't laugh.

    The Czech player's second serve is punished with a forehand winner that waved goodbye to her en route.

    30-15.

    30-30.

    Pliskova serves wide, comes to the net and taps home the point.

    40-30.

  9. Jeff Tarango
    Former professional tennis player at Flushing Meadows

    That's what champions do.

  10. Williams 6-4 5-2 Pliskova*

    Advantage Williams as she comes to the net to swat away a backhand.

    From love 40 down she holds.

    Brilliant.

  11. Williams 6-4 4-2 Pliskova*

    The 23-time Slam champ produces a stunning ace to save the third.

    Steel.

    A lengthy rally ends with Williams hitting the top of the net and then performing a merry jig, which wasn't merry because Pliskova has break point again.

    Williams gets out of trouble with an ace.

  12. Williams 6-4 4-2 Pliskova*

    One saved.

    Then another with a big serve.

  13. Williams 6-4 4-2 Pliskova*

    0-15 as Williams goes long.

    The American does the same again.

    Pliskova has rediscovered her range.

    The Cezch then returns a beauty.

    Three break points for the Czech player!!

    Remarkable.

  14. *Williams 6-4 4-2 Pliskova

    An excellent service game from Pliskova as she holds to love, but Williams was in 'battery save mode'.

  15. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

    Muted applause as Pliskova claws one break back. The Americans want blood.

    Or an icy Honey Deuce before the Nadal match.

    Raspberry liqueur, vodka and lemonade topped with three balls of honeydew melon if you're wondering.

  16. Pliskova gains one break back

    Williams 6-4 4-1 Pliskova*

    The second appears to be an ace, but Pliskova challenges.

    What do you say computer?

    "It was out".

    Second serve Williams.

    Foot fault.

    Pliskova breaks!

    Bagel back in the oven.

  17. Williams 6-4 4-0 Pliskova*

    15-15.

    Williams always attacks her serves, so the double fault count is not surprise. That's number four for the 36-year-old.

    15-30.

    Oh hello! 15-40 as Williams finds the net.

    One break point saved with an ace.

  18. Russell Fuller
    BBC tennis correspondent on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows

    That's eight games in a row now for Serena.

  19. Williams breaks again

    *Williams 6-4 4-0 Pliskova

    A great pick up from Williams is met with a response from a good Pliskova serve.

    Williams then pulls up deuce by attacking with a forehand.

    A superb angled forehand at the end of a rally from the American is too good.

    Break point.

    Pliskova goes wide and is broken in more than one way.

  20. Jonathan Jurejko
    BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

    Batman has appeared in the Gotham City night.

    Michael Keaton is spotted in the posh seats by the Ashe cameras.

    Pliskova needs some superhero intervention.