Roberta Vinci has become the first woman to book her place in the last four of the US Open after a dramatic 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, win against Kristina Mladenovic of France.
The 32-year-old was playing in her third Grand slam quarter-final compared to Mladenovic who was playing in her first. The experience of the Italian became apparent at the start of the opening set against her nervous opponent. Mladenovic’s opening service game was disastrous as a series of unforced errors enabled Vinci to break to love as she rushed to a quick 3-0 lead in under ten minutes. The Frenchwoman finally got on the scoreboard in the following game as she began to find her form, producing the type of tennis which took her to the last eight of the tournament. Despite the rise in Mladenovic’s form, it wasn’t enough to deny Vinci the first set as she remained strong on her serve to take it 6-3. During the first set Vinci produced four unforced errors compared to 11 from the Frenchwoman.
Going into the second set there was an epic battle in Vinci’s first service game as her reliable serve started to weaken. Leading 1-0, Mladenovic hit a blistering forehand down the line to give herself three break-point opportunities before the Italian clawed her way back to deuce. There was still a battle ongoing in the game as Vinci was forced to save another three break-points before levelling the set at 1-1, to the frustration of her opponent. Throughout the first ten games Mladenovic worked hard on the court, but always falter on the crucial point’s. This was demonstrated in the following game as a double fault followed by an unforced error lead to Vinci breaking once more to move a set and a break up. The break was, however squandered in the following game due to some below-par shot-making from Vinci which enabled the Frenchwoman to walk back into the match. Bizarrely, this was when the match momentum shifted.
As her rival started to get accustomed to her playing style, Vinci began to feel the pressure. A ridiculously slow 68 mph serve by the Italian was rightly punished by Mladenovic who returned it with a massive hit down the line to break for a 4-2, lead. Fortunately Vinci was given a lifeline in the second set as the world number 40 was unable to consolidate the break by producing a double fault to put proceedings back on serve. Vinci had two chances to break for a 5-4 lead but failed to do so as Mladenovic battle back by winning four consecutive points. Following her mini recovery, a trainer was called to the court to treat Mladenovic’s leg. The medical time-out didn’t faze Vinci as she quickly held her serve to love in the following game. The set looked to be heading into a tie-break, however, a rejuvenated Mladenovic pounced on Vinci as she broke to take the second set 7-5.
The match was for either player to win as both comfortably held their first service games at the start of the deciding set. Mladenovic came agonisingly close to breaking Vinci for a 3-1 lead but failed to convert any of her three break point chances. The Frenchwoman was under the impression that she broke the Italian when a shot from Vinci was called out, but a hawk-eye challenge concluded that the ball was in. There was another thrilling encounter at 3-3 with a marathon seventh game which consisted of 10 deuces. The game was the most crucial for the outcome of the entire match as an inspired Vinci finally broke with her fifth break-point in the game to move 4-3 up, two games away from her first Grand Slam semi-final. The gruelling game took its toll on Mladenovic who received a medical time-out for the second time in the match for treatment on her left upper leg. Vinci grew in confidence as she held with ease to move 5-3 up as her opponent struggled with her left thigh. Despite respectfully holding her serve to keep within touching distance, Mladenovic was unable to tame the feisty Italian. In the marathon encounter Vinci finally took the match as her rival return her serve into the net.
During the two-and-a-half hour encounter Vinci produced 22 winners, 3 aces and won 68% of her first serves. In contrast Mladenovic produced a shocking 64 unforced errors and converted just 3/15 break points.
Following her triumph on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 32-year-old spoke of her delight during her on court interview.
“It’s an amazing moment for me”. She said.
“It was an incredible match, so tight, but I fought until the end. I’m so happy I don’t have the words to describe it”.
In the last four Vinci will play either Serena or Venus Williams. She has played the Williams sisters on seven previous occasions (4 against Serena and 3 against Venus) and is yet to grab a win against either of them.
