US Open 2020, men's semi-finals, LIVE Tennis Score: Alexander Zverev comes from two sets down to beat Pablo Carreno Busta

05:55 (IST)

Fantastic pass from Dominic Thiem

Dominic Thiem, folks! 🎯#USOpen LIVE: https://t.co/s8nAOe1GYlpic.twitter.com/t6xOackNZH

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 12, 2020

05:55 (IST)

Medvedev* 2-3 Thiem (* denotes server)

Love hold for Dominic Thiem this time. He angles the serve on the Medvedev backhand and sees the return hit the net. 

05:53 (IST)

Medvedev 2-2 *Thiem (* denotes server)

Dominic Thiem making early inroads into the Daniil Medvedev serve. Two very low rising backhand slices and Medvedev is unable to get them up and under at the net. Medvedev follows it up with two confident points. Thiem brings up the first break point of the match and tenth on the Medvedev serve in the tournament. Finds the side line with the Russian at the net. But it goes away quickly after a strong serve. Make that two more strong serves. One from the corner of the court to push Thiem outside as well. Holds with an ace on the next serve. 

05:47 (IST)

Medvedev* 1-2 Thiem (* denotes server)

Dominic Thiem with an ace to hold serve to go two games to one up. His first ace of the match. Great start from both players, finding their range and trying to be aggressive 

05:43 (IST)

Medvedev 1-1 *Thiem (* denotes server)

As expected, Thiem doing the early attacking and Medvedev doing splendidly to match him stride for stride. Wait, scratch that. Medvedev turns that around by going all out attack and it is Thiem who plays the defensive tennis before Daniil whips a forehand winner to hold serve

05:40 (IST)

Zverev after his first win from two sets down

Never stop fighting pic.twitter.com/7dMJAjsnhN

— Alexander Zverev (@AlexZverev) September 12, 2020

05:38 (IST)

Medvedev* 0-1 Thiem (* denotes server)

Dominic Thiem gets the match underway. Sign of things to come in the very first game as both players move around on the court, pushing each other all the way before Thiem misses a lob. But goes on to hold serve after yet another long rally sees Medvedev send his forehand wide. 

05:27 (IST)

Thiem vs Medvedev

"One who has a better day wins, it is a 50:50 match," says Dominic Thiem as he takes court after Daniil Medvedev. The Russian is yet to drop a set in the tournament. The Austrian holds a 2-1 head-to-head

05:19 (IST)

A bit of a slog, eh?

Celebrations for Alex Zverev as he reaches a first Grand Slam final.
Celebrations for the rest of the world that the semi-final is over.

— Russell Fuller (@russellcfuller) September 11, 2020

05:18 (IST)

Alexander Zverev speaks after the match!

I was looking at the scoreboard when I was down two sets to love thinking, 'I can't believe it. I'm playing in a Grand Slam semi-final, I'm supposed to be the favourite, and I have no chance.'

I knew I had to come up with better tennis, and be a bit more stable in my approach. The conditions were completely different today. today the ball was moving as fast, so my serve wasn't that effective.

I knew I had to play better. I will never come back from two sets to love. This was the first time in my career. I'm happy to do it at this stage. I couldn't be happier but there's still one more step to go for me.

I wasn't winning many second serve points, so I had to change something and be more aggressive. I think it turned out well for me.

I will definitely watch it, I'll probably watch a set or so live. These guys might be playing for a long while as well. I can't wait for the final.

05:13 (IST)

Fifth set in numbers:

05:12 (IST)

Game, Set, Match: Alexander Zverev wins 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3! 

Carreno Busta serves to stay in the match. He gets the first point, but he hits the second long. 15-15. Another forehand goes wide. Two points from defeat. He misses first serve. Good second serve though, and Zverev hits wide. 30-30. Oh no, Carreno Busta hits a volley wide. Zverev has match point! Carreno Busta takes it to deuce though, with a forehand winner. Match-point saved.

Carreno Busta's sliced backhand lacks the power to make it across the net. Advantage and set point to Zverev. Another mistake from Carreno Busta, and Zverev is through to his first Grand Slam final! What a comeback win for the German!

05:06 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 3-5 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

If I'm being completely honest, this is a stinker of a semi-final. Neither player has looked convincing in any way, shape or form. Whatever happens, the winner could do with a bit of reflection ahead of the final.

Two quick points for Zverev. An ace and a forehand winner. He makes a mistake though, and fails to clear the net with a shot. 30-15. Carreno Busta's touch is gone. He's hitting returns with no real conviction. 40-15. Zverev hits a huge serve and he holds.

05:02 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 3-4 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

15-15 in Carreno Busta's service game. Zverev hits long though, and he's up 30-15. Excellent second serve from Carreno Busta. Zverev challenges it. Ooh, it's a couple of millimetres in. 40-15. Zverev's return flies long, and Carreno Busta holds.

05:00 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 2-4 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Ace. Ace. Forehand winner down the line. Zverev races to 40-0. Carreno Busta replies with a forehand winner of his own. 40-15. Zverev goes for power on a second serve and gets the point. He holds.

04:58 (IST)

There's a couple of records in the offing:

If Zverev wins

Zverev, 23, is the youngest Grand Slam finalist since Djokovic, 23, at the 2010 US Open
 

Zverev is the first German Grand Slam finalist since Rainer Schuettler at the 2003 Australian Open
 

Zverev is into his first Grand Slam final just months after a career-best semi-final finish of a Major at Australian Open

If Carreno Busta wins

Carreno Busta is the third Spaniard, alongside David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal, to reach the Grand Slam finals in last 15 years

World No 27 Carreno Busta is the second- lowest-ranked US Open finalist since rankings began in 1973. Only 2017 US Open runner-up Kevin Anderson was ranked lower at No 32

04:56 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 2-3 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta opens up an opportunity for himself with aggressive play, pushes Zverev wide and volleys the German's lob into open court. Zverev hits long. 30-0 to the Spaniard. Zverev hits long again. 40-0. Zverev hits a good backhand winner down the line. 40-15. Zverev hits long. Carreno Busta holds. Good work from him, but he needs to make a move quickly if he has any hope of winning this match.

04:53 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 1-3 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Ace. Mistake from Carreno Busta. Zverev up 30-0. Another ace. Another ace. Zverev holds to love

04:51 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 1-2 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Big game for Carreno Busta and he gets the first point. He gets the second too, after Zverev can't return serve. Carreno Busta hits long and it's 30-15. Carreno Busta hits long again, 30-30. Excellent forehand-volley combination from Carreno Busta, 40-30. Zverev makes a mistake and the Spaniard holds!

04:48 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 0-2 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Better. Much better from Carreno Busta to wrest control of a rally and get the first point. Brilliant backhand from Zverev, 15-15. Huge ace, 30-15. Double fault from Zverev, 30-30. Excellent volley from Zverev, he's on 40-30. Nice work from Carreno Busta to force through a deuce with a forehand winner.
 

Zverev gets advantage with a volley after a lengthy rally. Excellent dropshot from Carreno Busta to bring it back to deuce. Again, Zverev pushes Carreno Busta wide and hits a shot into open space. Advantage. Lazy smash from Zverev. He holds serve. He's looking good.

04:41 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 0-1 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta makes an error after a lengthy rally. He goes for the dropshot but he can't make it cross the net. 0-30 to Zverev. Ace from Carreno Busta, 15-30. Zverev with a smash, 15-40. Break point for the German. Game Zverev after a Carreno Busta error. He looks out of sorts here.

04:37 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta calls for medical timeout

The Spaniard is lying on his back, as a trainer pushed into his kidney. I'm not sure what's being treated here. Maybe he has gas? Okay, he's been turned on his side and it looks like he's on a chiropractor's table. He's up on his feet now. Wonder what all that was about. I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. 

via GIPHY

04:33 (IST)

Fourth set in numbers:

04:32 (IST)

Fourth Set: Alexander Zverev 6-4

Zverev serves for the set. Good start with an ace. Zverev shanks a backhand and it hits the net. 15-15. Double fault after he tries to go for the gusto on the second serve. Excellent drop volley from Zverev. 30-30. Good serve and he has set point. Ace and we go to the fifth set!

04:29 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 4-5 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Excellent work from Zverev. Carreno Busta tries a dropshot, but it's deep enough for Zverev to get to it and hit a winner into the open court. Mistake from Carreno Busta now, and it's 0-30. Carreno Busta makes another mistake, miscues a volley, and Zverev has three set points. He loses one of those though after failing to return. He's down to one set point now. It's deuce, good work from Carreno Busta but poor returning from Zverev.

Advantage Carreno Busta. Deuce again after a firm forehand winner from Zverev. Advantage Carreno Busta, he rifles a shot straight at Zverev and it hits him in the ribcage. Painful one that. Carreno Busta holds with some aggressive net play!

04:23 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-5 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta's return sails long. Ace from Zverev. Carreno Busta challenges. Ooh, it's just inside. One or two millimetres at best. 30-0 to Zverev. 40-0, Carreno Busta hits long. Zverev holds to love with ease. Carreno Busta will serve to prevent a deciding set.

04:20 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-4 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta hits long, and it's 0-15 to Zverev. It seems like every other point is ending with an unforced error. Carreno Busta thwacks a shot straight at Zverev's face from close range and the German just about deflects it. 15-15. We have a long rally, which ends with Carreno Busta hitting the net. There's not a lot of power on display here. Carreno Busta hits long and Zverev has two break points. Smash from Carreno Busta and Zverev now has just the one break point. Huge smash from Zverev, he shows great aggression to get the break!

04:15 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-3 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Great serve-backhand combination play from Zverev to win the first point. 30-0. Carreno Busta misses a straightforward return and it's 40-0. Zverev tries to go for the tweener at the end of a great rally, but misses. 40-15.  Game Zverev though, he holds serve well.

04:11 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 3-2 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Two fairly long rallies end with a point apiece and an error apiece from both players. 15-15. Huge serve from Carreno Busta and he's up 30-15. Carreno Busta can't take the speed off a ball with a volley and it flies long. Big ace for Carreno Busta. Zverev challenges but it's in. 40-30. Deuce after Carreno Busta hits long.

Uncharacteristically quick serve from Carreno Busta and he has advantage. A slower serve, and Zverev miscues his return. Carreno Busta holds serve!

04:06 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 2-2 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev makes a mistake and it's 0-15 to Carreno Busta. Zverev hits long, Carreno Busta up by 30. Zverev not convinced. He challenges. It's a metre out. Oh god, that's a howler from Zverev! Sloppy double fault, to give Carreno Busta three break points. Zverev hits long and Carreno Busta breaks right back. What's wrong with Zverev? We're back on serve.

04:03 (IST)

Carreno Busta's camp does not look confident right now

via GIPHY

04:02 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 1-2 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta's forehand flies long and Zverev has the first point. 0-30 now, after Zverev hits an imperious winner down the line. Mistake from Zverev and Carreno Busta gets a point. 15-30. Excellent forehand winner from Carreno Busta. 30-30. Carreno Busta hits long, and Zverev has break-point again! He can't convert, the shot goes long.

Deuce. Carreno Busta hits long after some wonderfully authoritative shot-making from Zverev, who has advantage. Carreno Busta hits long again, and Zverev breaks!

03:57 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 1-1 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev ace. A long rally ends with a point for Zverev, after his shot clips the top of the net and gets the better of a sprinting Carreno Busta. Ace and it's 40-0. Wonderful serve-forehand winner combination to hold.

03:54 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Advantage Carreno Busta after a Zverev mistake. Deuce, after a Carreno Busta mistake. Very nervy game. Oh my, that's a belter of a serve from Carreno Busta. 126mph. He has advantage. Another quick serve at 116mph, and he holds. Big hold under pressure.

03:48 (IST)

Third set in numbers:

03:47 (IST)

Third Set: Alexander Zverev 6-3

Ace and 15-0. 30-0, after Carreno Busta can't make the return. Another ace and it's 40-0. Three set points. He's done it, he's won the third set! Incredible serving from the German!

03:45 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 3-5 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

We're almost done with this third set, but neither player has really shown anything special. If this match is any indication, the winner of Thiem vs Medvedev should do quite well in the final. Carreno Busta double faults on the first point. 15-15 all now, after Zverev can't clear the net. 30-15 after Zverev hits long. 40-15 after Zverev hits long again. Carreno Busta is really hitting through the ball now. Lovely forehand winner across court to hold serve. Zverev will serve for the set. 

03:41 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 2-5 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Ace. Big serve and it's 30-0 in a matter of seconds. 40-0 now, Zverev looks rejuvenated. Carreno Busta hits long, and Zverev holds to love. The German is in the driver's seat in this set.

03:39 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 2-4 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev does well to push Carreno Busta out wide and get the first point, when the Spaniard hits a desperate shot into the net. Carreno Busta hits a ball long, but he doesn't think so. He challenges and it's actually in. They replay the point. Oof, 0-30 to Zverev now, as Carreno Busta slightly overcooks a volley. 15-30, mistake from Zverev. 30-30 after a great dropshot-backhand combination from Carreno Busta. Despite being a very conservative player, the Spaniard has shown some flashes of real brilliance. Zverev wins the next point after dictating a rally. He has break point. Zverev breaks after Carreno Busta miscues a backhand!

03:33 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 2-3 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta wins the first point after Zverev hits long. Zverev hits another shot long, Carreno Busta up  0-30 in this game. Zverev appears to have hit an ace, but Carreno Busta challenges. It's a second serve. Carreno Busta survives it, and after a rally, Zverev hits a shot wide. Three break points to Carreno Busta now! Make that two, he's hit the net. Carreno Busta has broken right back! What a response from the Spaniard! We're back on serve.

03:29 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 1-3 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Carreno Busta is making a lot more mistakes than he was in the last set. He loses the first point after making an error. And the second. Carreno Busta hits a shot long and now Zverev has three hugely crucial break points. He has two now, after Carreno Busta pushes him wide with some good shot-making. Alexander Zverev breaks with a beautiful forehand winner down the line/

03:25 (IST)

Is it too late for Alexander Zverev?

Pablo Carreno Busta's record from two sets up: 22-2

Alexander Zverev's record from two sets down: 0-8

03:24 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 1-2 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev takes the first point with an overhead smash. He's got a bit of his mojo back. He's up 30-0, Carreno Busta can't clear the net. 40-0 after another Carreno Busta mistake. Zverev is really beginning to hit with enough depth and power to prevent Carreno Busta from controlling rallies. He holds to love!

03:21 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 *Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

15-0 to Carreno Busta. 30-0 now, after a huge forehand winner. Make that 40-0, Zverev can't return a good serve. Carreno Busta holds to love with another forehand winner.

03:19 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

Zverev gets us underway in the third set. It's make or break time for the German. He wins the first point after an error from Carreno Busta. And the second after another mistake. Can Zverev build on the momentum he had towards the end of that second set? He wins the third point as well, he looks a lot more assured now. It's a long way back from here, but he has more than enough ability to fight back. He holds to love with an ace.

03:16 (IST)

Brb, I think I need to take a shower

Boris Becker commentating Zverev's match for Eurosport Germany, saying: "I have to say, the umpire is extremely pretty. You eat with your eyes." Any questions? #UsOpen

— Petra Philippsen (@PPhilippsen) September 11, 2020

03:15 (IST)

The second set in numbers: 

03:15 (IST)

Is this what Zverev needs to do?

This @usopen semi is painful to watch. I don’t like seeing athletes mentally torture themseevs like Zverev here. If anyone ever needed to understand/employ the concept of detachment from result, it’s him. Enormous fear in his performance. F@&# the scoreboard, let it rip.

— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) September 11, 2020

03:14 (IST)

Second Set: Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2

Alexander Zverev wins the first point after Carreno Busta hits a forehand wide. Another forehand goes wide and Zverev is up 0-30. Carreno Busta gets his first point of the game after Zverev misses up a return. Excellent forehand winner from Carreno Busta and it's 30-30. An ace and he's on set point. Poor shot from Carreno Busta, we go to deuce.

Another mistake from Zverev. Advantage and set point to Carreno Busta! Another vamos and another set in the bag for the Spaniard!

via GIPHY

03:08 (IST)

Pablo Carreno Busta* 6-3, 5-2 Alexander Zverev (* denotes next server)

This is a great service game from Alexander Zverev. Within a minute he holds and Pablo Carreno Busta yet again serves for the set.

Preview: For the first time in 16 years, the men's semi-finals at a Grand Slam tournament will be contested without any of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic participating. Instead, the matchups at Flushing Meadows on Friday will feature a quartet of 20-somethings all seeking a first major championship.

No 2 seed Dominic Thiem of Austria faces No 3 Daniil Medvedev of Russia, in one semi-final and No 5 Alexander Zverev of Germany meets No 20 Pablo Carreño Busta of Spain in the other. Thiem has reached three Grand Slam finals, going 0-3, with each loss to Djokovic or Nadal.

Medvedev was the runner-up to Nadal in a thrill-a-minute five-set final at last year’s US Open. This is the second major semi-final appearance for both Zverev and Carreño Busta; both lost their first attempt to get to a Grand Slam title match.

The eventual champion will be the first man born in the 1990s to grab a Grand Slam trophy: Zverev is 23, Medvedev is 24, Thiem turned 27 a week ago, and Carreño Busta is 29. “Every single one of us deserves this first major title. Everybody will give it all,” Thiem said. “That’s what’s on the mind.”

With inputs from AP.

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3hp8IU4

US Open 2020, women's semi-finals, LIVE tennis score: Naomi Osaka wins first set vs Jennifer Brady; Serena vs Azarenka to follow

05:58 (IST)

Jennifer Brady (1)6-7, 3-2 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady gets lucky for the third time with the net! 30-0. Make that 40-0, as she confidently slams a backhand winner down the line. 40-15 now, after an unforced error from Brady. She reprimands herself audibly for making the mistake. And then makes another. 40-30. Lovely work from Brady to hold serve, it's another winner.

05:55 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* (1)6-7, 2-2 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Osaka relinquishes the first point on her serve. The second one two. That's two errors in a row. 0-30 to Brady. Osaka gets one back with a thunderous overhead. 30-30 now, Brady's hit a backhand wide. 40-30 now, another error from Brady. Deuce, an error from Osaka now. Bit of sloppy play from both parties.

Osaka gets advantage with a forehand winner. And she holds after Brady is a bit slow to get across court.

05:47 (IST)

Jennifer Brady (1)6-7, 2-1 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady wins first point. And the second, after an error from Osaka. And the third, after a belter of a forehand is too much for Osaka. 40-0. Ace to wrap things up. Love hold

05:45 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* (1)6-7, 1-1 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Osaka gets the first point with a good serve. She shanks a forehand though, and it's 15-15. Another huge first serve from Osaka. 30-15. Brady completely miscues a shot and it's 40-15. An ace from Osaka, and we're still on serve.

05:42 (IST)

Jennifer Brady (1)6-7, 1-0 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

How crazy is it that this is the first set Brady has dropped all tournament? Really speaks to how well Osaka is playing tonight. Brady does well to hold comfortably in the first game of the second set, it's not easy to regain your composure after going a set down.

05:38 (IST)

Here's how that first set looks in numbers

05:37 (IST)

First Set: Naomi Osaka 7-6(1)

Osaka gets us underway with the serve, and it's 1-0. Brady missed the return. Brady serves next, and it's Osaka who gets the minibreak after a long rally! 2-0! Excellent serve from Brady makes it 2-1.

Osaka on serve now. The serve is strong, and Brady's return sails wide. 3-1. Make that 4-1. Brady misfires on the return. Brady on serve now. Oof, she misses another shot. 5-1 to Osaka. Could this one be slipping away from the American?

Another huge winner from Osaka! She's reading Brady's movements like a billboard. Commanding 6-1 lead and she has five set points. She needs just one. Osaka takes the first set!

05:31 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 6-6 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Again, Brady serves to stay in the set. And she opens with an ace! Osaka wins the next point though, with a backhand winner. Brady challenges, but it's bang on the line. Osaka messes up a return on a Brady second serve. 30-15 to the American. Osaka wins the next point and there's an audible 'c'mon!' Brady gets a big point, she's just one away from a tiebreak. And to tiebreak we go, after Osaka hits the net.

05:27 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 5-6 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady gets lucky with net for the second time this set, as a shot bounces off it and catches Osaka out. 15-15 after Brady hits long. Excellent ace from Osaka to make it 30-15, that one wasn't particularly fast but it sure was wide. 40-15 now, another Brady error. Osaka holds with an imperious winner.

05:24 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 5-5 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady will serve to stay in the set. Ace from her. She wins the second point with remarkable poise. She's not at all fazed by the occasion. 40-0 now, after Osaka buries a return in the net. Oof, what a forehand winner from Osaka, it kisses the baseline on the way out. Brady wins the next point though, 5-5.

05:22 (IST)

Osaka has been inspirational both on and off the court this tournament

Making her voice heard. pic.twitter.com/QRLbxYTwqB

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2020

05:20 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 4-5 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady's having realy trouble dealing with Osaka's first serve. She loses the first point to it. She loses the second after a little rally. 30-0 to Osaka. Brady's return in the next point flies long, 40-0. Ace from Osaka and it's a love hold.

05:18 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 4-4 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Osaka wins the first point after keeping Brady on the run and continuously going to the open court. Brady makes it 15-15 with a blistering ace. An excellent forehand from Brady sees Osaka make an error. Brady wins another quickfire point and it's 40-15. Brady's defence looks a bit circumspect for a moment, as Osaka pushes her into an error. 40-30. Another error from Brady, and it goes to deuce.

Excellent first serve from Brady, she has advantage. And she holds!

05:12 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 3-4 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

15-0 to Osaka thanks to an ace. 30-0 with a great forehand that sails beyond the reach of Brady at the net. 40-0 now. Naomi Osaka's first-serve point percentage is excellent. Brady gets a point back after Osaka ends a rally with an error. Another error from Osaka, 40-30. Another error and it's deuce.

Brady is helped out hugely by the ball clipping the net, and she has advantage and break point. Osaka's first serve misses. The second serve is enough to make Brady fluff her return though, it's deuce again. Advantage Osaka after a great first serve. And she completes a hold with a backhand winner. She got down low for that, she was practically kneeling.

05:06 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 3-3 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Huge forehand from Brady. She opens up her body and hits an excellent winner. The next serve is good, Osaka can't get her return across the net. Brady messes up a shot though, 30-15 to the American. She gets her first serve off and Osaka's return flies long. 40-15. Excellent work from Osaka to force an error out of Brady. Brady finishes with an ace.

05:02 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 2-3 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Brady gets the first point on Osaka's serve. Osaka makes it level with a big first-serve. Oh my, what a peach of return from Brady. Great return down the line. She can't do it twice in a row though. Can't do it the third time either. Two poor returns from her makes it 40-30 for Osaka. And then an unforced error from the American. We're still on serve after five games.

04:59 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 2-2 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Couple of fairly routine holds in the first ten minutes. Can Osaka change that? She gets the first point after Brady overcooks a shot. Oh no, double fault from Brady, 0-30 to Osaka. Brady claws a point back after an unforced error. Make that two. 30-30. Brady moves to 40-30 with a strong forehand. And an ace sees her hold.

04:55 (IST)

Monica Seles is all of us right now

Please do not call - text- email me starting at 7pm tonight as I will be glued to my tv watching the upcoming women's semi final matches . Is it 7 pm yet ??@usopen @WTA 🎾

— Monica Seles (@MonicaSeles10s) September 10, 2020

04:55 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 1-2 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Excellent point from Osaka, her venomous forehand is too much for Brady, who commits an unforced error. 30-0 after another error. And now it's Osaka's turn to miscue a shot. Brady is really going for those forehands, she's whacking the fluff off of the ball. Osaka gets the next point though. And she finishes with a beautifully placed backhand.

04:52 (IST)

Jennifer Brady 1-1 *Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Nervous schmervous, Brady begins with an excellent backhand winner across court! She tries to do the same with a forehand but it flies long. Naomi Osaka then hits a return straight into the net. Brady does the same after the first real rally of the match. 30-30.   Excellent work from Brady to win a point. She pushes Osaka wide and then whacks a forehand winner. Little bit of a break as Brady fixes a broken shoelace. I wonder if she still has the receipt, she should really get a refund for that. It's on the telly as well. Brady finishes with an ace.

04:48 (IST)

Jennifer Brady* 0-1 Naomi Osaka (* denotes next server)

Naomi Osaka draws first blood in the first game after Jennifer Brady shanks a return long. Wins the second point in similar fashion as well. And another unforced error from Brady. It's a shaky start from the American. Osaka wraps up the hold with a forehand winner.

04:37 (IST)

Both players are out onto the court!

via GIPHY

04:29 (IST)

Osaka's had a couple of real battles on her path to the semi-final!

04:24 (IST)

Jennifer Brady is yet to drop a set in this tournament!

04:17 (IST)

Brady and Osaka have faced each other just twice, with their last meeting coming in 2018

04:09 (IST)

Up first, Jennifer Brady of America takes on Japan's Naomi Osaka!

03:59 (IST)

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the US Open!

Today is Day 11 and our focus will be on the two women's singles matches in the evening session. First up will be Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady followed by a tantalising fixture between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka. Watch out tennis balls, it is not going to be pretty! 

Serena Williams will play Victoria Azarenka in one women's semifinal - a rematch of the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals won by Williams - and Naomi Osaka will face Jennifer Brady in the other.

Williams is closing in on what would be her seventh US Open championship and record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title overall. She has made it to the semifinals in each of her past 11 appearances in New York. Azarenka is a two-time Australian Open champion on a 10-match winning streak and back in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in seven years. Williams leads Azarenka 18-4 head-to-head.

Williams, who turns 39 later this month, is coming off two three-set comeback victories in a row and hit 20 aces in her win against Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals.

Williams was the runner-up at Flushing Meadows each of the past two years; she lost to Osaka in the 2018 final. That was one of Osaka's two Grand Slam titles. Brady, meanwhile, had never been past the fourth at any major tournament until this week.

But she is playing as well as anyone since tennis resumed last month from its hiatus because of the coronavirus, winning the first WTA title of her career at Lexington, Kentucky.

Brady is a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania who helped UCLA win a college championship. She and Osaka have played twice, each winning once by a 6-4, 6-4 score, although Brady's victory came six years ago.

(With inputs from AP)

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3m6g4Qd

US Open 2020, Quarter-finals, Tennis LIVE: Victoria Azarenka wins first set 6-1 vs Elise Mertens; Daniil Medvedev, Serena Williams through

05:52 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 5-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Couple of good points for Mertens. Can she hold serve for the first time this match? She double faults. 30-15 to her. Another unforced error from Mertens, 30-30. One more break point for Azarenka. She converts it with a gorgeous backhand winner. Surely this is all over? She serves for the set!

05:49 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 4-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

It's worth remembering that Mertens has not held serve even once yet. She really needs to do something different, there's not that much time left. Azarenka gets the first point of her service game. Mertens wins the second, with an excellent winner. 15-15. Ace from Azarenka. And she's up 40-15 after Mertens terrible return sails wide. Another ace, and the Azarenka express keeps pulling away.

05:45 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 3-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens has really struggled with her forehand tonight. She gives away the first point with an unforced error. It's 30-0 now. Mertens is struggling, but she claws back a point with her first ace of the night. Azarenka has break point again after a gorgeous forehand winner eludes Mertens. She's cruising here. Azarenka makes a couple of unforced errors though, and we're at deuce.

Excellent play from Azarenka, and she had advantage. She's hitting it so clean and deep, the ball is just skidding off the court. Elise Mertens is not out though, she gets it back to deuce. Advantage to Azarenka. An error from Mertens' forehand again. Mertens makes it deuce with an inch-perfect volley. How good is Azarenka! She has advantage for the third time this game. It's her fifth break point of the game and she converts it!

05:36 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 2-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka up a set and a break. She gives away the first point with an unforced error. Mertens takes the second with a powerful winner. Azarenka makes it 30-15. Ooh, Mertens has break point now! She's not held serve yet, but this is her second break point. Azarenka claws back a point with an ace, and then makes it deuce with a smash.

She's doing really well with her little combinations, Mertens just cannot cope. Advantage Azarenka! She holds serve

05:31 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 6-1, 1-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens disappears down the tunnel after the first set is done, and she's gone for ages. Azarenka takes the time to meditate with her legs crossed. Real zen moment.
 

Mertens takes the first point of the second set, but Azarenka claims the next two. Mertens makes it 30-30 with a strong smash. And Azarenka has another break point! Double fault from Mertens and Azarenka is ahead!

05:23 (IST)

First Set: Victoria Azarenka 6-1

Azarenka is serving for the set now. Mertens gets the first point, after the Belarusian shanks a return long, but makes it 15-15 after Mertens' lob clears the court. Fantastic shot from Mertens under real pressure and she's 30-15 up. Azarenka is doing so well to close down her angles though, and she makes it 30-30 after charging to the net. Elise Mertens hits another one long for her twelfth unforced error. Azarenka on set point. And she wraps it up after another unforced error from the Belgian!

05:18 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 5-1 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka is playing some excellent, aggressive tennis.  She wins the first point after Mertens can't reach her cross court return. She gets the second after Mertens buries a return into the nets. 30-0 up. Make that 40-0 up, because she's won another point with a forehand winner! She has three break points, can she capitalise on this? Why yes she can, with a stylish backhand winner down the line. She's up double-break now.

05:15 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka 4-1 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

What a return to action Victoria Azarenka has had! After winning the Western & Southern Open, the Belarusian has looked in fine form at the US Open, and in this match, she looks like she just about has the edge. She holds, despite the game going to deuce. 

05:08 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 3-1 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

The set is back on serve. Azarenka tries to put power on a forehand return, but it fails to clear the net. 15-0 to Mertens. Mertens' shot from a rally on the next point clips the net and outfoxes Azarenka. 30-0. Mertens then gives away a couple of points back-to-back and it's 30-30 now. Azarenka hits a return long and it's 40-30. Oh my, what a huge overhead winner from Azarenka. To deuce we go.

Azarenka gets advantage after Mertens misses the court with a forehand. She makes up for her miss with an excellent backhand winner though. Advantage back with Azarenka now. Oh no, it's a double fault from Mertens. Azarenka back into the lead after breaking.

05:01 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka 2-1 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens fights back with a powerful winner and its 15-0. She then pushes Azarenka into hitting a return long and it's 30-0. Azarenka replies well by making Mertens scamper across court after a well placed shot, which the Belgian can't get to. 30-15. But Mertens is at break point now! Doesn't faze Azarenka though, she unleashes a wonderful serve and forehand combo. Oh my word, Mertens has broken back with an imperious return which kisses the baseline before wooshing past Azarenka.

04:57 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka* 2-0 Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Mertens goes up to 30-0 with ease, but then Azarenka gets a point after an excellent rally. Azarenka makes it 30-30. Mertens with the double fault and Azarenka has break-point now. And she breaks! She's off and running!

04:52 (IST)

Victoria Azarenka 1-0 *Elise Mertens (* denotes server)

Azarenka starts us off with the serve, and she does well to bag the opening point. Mertens replies by making it 15-15. Oof, early double fault from Azarenka and it's 15-30. Mertens miscues a return and it's 30-30. Oh, excellent forehand winner from Azarenka there, that's cannoned off her racket. Elise Mertens returns well on the next serve and we go to deuce.

Mertens fluffs a return and it's blasted straight into orbit. Advantage Azarenka. Mertens messes up another return, it's a hold.

04:41 (IST)

Coming up next, Elise Mertens vs Victoria Azarenka!

In the final quarter-final tie of the US Open women's singles, 15th-seeded Elise Mertens takes on former World No 1 Victoria Azarenka! Stay tuned for all the latest updates!

03:03 (IST)

Their exchange at the net

"You really played great, just was unlucky" — Medvedev to Rublev at the net.

— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) September 9, 2020

03:02 (IST)

Yet to drop a set at US Open, yet to a drop a set against Rublev. 

Here's a list of men who have dropped zero sets this tournament:

Daniil Medvedev

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2020

03:01 (IST)

Medvedev controlled and executed the tempo of how that match played out like a real genius. Especially towards the end when he started cramping.

Special special player!

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) September 9, 2020

03:00 (IST)

Medvedev: "First time in almost a year I celebrated a win because this was tough. One point decided three sets. Andrey was playing really well."

"It was a very tactical game today and I'm glad it worked out."

"I am going to relax and watch Thiem/De Minaur. I never try to predict, I just prepare for the winner"

02:57 (IST)

Daniil Medvedev wins 7-6, 6-3, 7-6

Just the one break point in the match and Medvedev converted it. Little opportunity otherwise for both players but it is Medvedev who is into yet another US Open semi-final. 

02:56 (IST)

Third set tiebreak

The tiebreak stayed on serve until Medvedev pushed forward, took the serve return early for a backhand winner into the corner. Rublev mixes things up on the next point by serving and volleying. Medvedev misses the attempted pass. Daniil gets the tougher volley back but not the simpler volley to give back the advantage. But follows it up with a big serve and winner. Match point. Big forehand from Medvedev has Rublev rushing into the corner but his defensive backhand goes long. 

02:51 (IST)

Third set tiebreak

Daniil Medvedev called for the trainer again before the tiebreak saying his legs are cramping. Challenges for three points in a row at the start. Rublev gets one right, not the second one and now Medvedev asks for the Hawk Eye's intervention. At the change, it is 3-3

02:42 (IST)

Rublev 6-7, 3-6, 5-4 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Rublev holds comfortably. Medvedev calls the trainer out at the end of the game. He's getting treatment on his right shoulder. Doesn't seem to be much of a concern or something that could prevent him from playing on. A medical time out later, Medvedev looks good to go. The trainer hangs around for the next change of ends

02:29 (IST)

Medvedev has altered his serve over the last two years

Love graphics like this — Medvedev has streamlined his ball toss significantly in the past two years (@espn) #USOpen pic.twitter.com/aVMV8Tx3le

— Matt Trollope (@MattyAT) September 9, 2020

02:25 (IST)

Rublev 6-7, 3-6, 3-2 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Third set staying on serve. Rublev holds with ease with an angled ace out wide on the deuce side. Perfect placement, much like his forehand passing shot earlier in the game. 

02:06 (IST)

Medvedev didn't drop a set vs Rublev in their prior three meetings. So far so good. 

May the best Russian win...and it's looking like @DaniilMedwed so far. 🇷🇺

The No. 3 seed leads two sets to none over Rublev.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/WMYdVwONDX

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 9, 2020

02:03 (IST)

Second set: Daniil Medvedev 6-3

Daniil Medvedev takes a two sets to love lead with an ace. The first set took over an hour and this one has taken half of it. Rublev is disintegrating right here. Looked to be a promising match and suddenly seems less so. 

02:02 (IST)

Rublev gets warning

Andrey Rublev has been warned for 'audible obscenity' by chair umpire James Keothavong. Seemed to be just a scream but the chair umpire believes it was something else? Strange! 

01:57 (IST)

Rublev* 6-6, 2-5 Medvedev (* denotes server)

Daniil consolidates the break with an ace down the tee. Rublev is upset with the way things are going and lets out a huge scream. But that doesn't deter Daniil from closing the game out. 

01:56 (IST)

Rublev 6-6, 2-4 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Daniil gets the first break of the match after a weak game from Rublev. Just the first break point of the match and Medvedev converts with a simple put away smash. BREAK!

01:53 (IST)

Important point by Somdev Devvarman on playing a player who you don't just know but is also a friend. 

For the juniors out there who have a tough time with this, (I know I did) there's a masterclass on at the US open on...

How to play with intensity and focus while playing against a good friend #rublevvsmedvedev

— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) September 9, 2020

01:48 (IST)

Rublev 6-6, 2-2 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Second set going much the way the first did. Except the second game, on Rublev's serve, went the distance before he prevailed. 

01:44 (IST)

The ball girl did not see that racket smack coming

The scoreline can explain this one. 🥴#USOpen | @AndreyRublev97 pic.twitter.com/to2aGOTZGU

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 9, 2020

01:38 (IST)

'Code of conduct violation: Andrey Rublev. Food abuse'

Do they call violations for banana abuse?#USOpen

Live: https://t.co/BdsmRvSOzPpic.twitter.com/6sbzHeJm1k

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 9, 2020

01:34 (IST)

First set: Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (6)

After a well contested set, Rublev squanders a huge lead in the tiebreak to see Medvedev take the opener in just over an hour. Rublev led 5-1 before Medvedev won seven of next eight points. 

01:32 (IST)

1st set tiebreak

Rublev was cruising along in the tiebreak. 5-1 ahead and he was within two points of clinching the opener. From nowhere, Medvedev roars back to make it 6-6. Now Medvedev with incredible movement to keep the ball alive. From well outside the court, he slides the backhand in and Rublev is unable to get it back. Andrey is incensed and the racket bears the brunt of it. Medvedev closes it out with an ace. Rublev is upset and understandably so. He looks on at his coach and is pissed. Racket on the bag and then the banana gets smashed!

01:26 (IST)

More on the power outage

Electronics are still not working. The serve counter not working. No Hawk Eye screen. Medvedev challenged in the tiebreak and chair umpire James Keothavong had to use his walkie talkie to confirm. Strange tournament gets stranger....

01:23 (IST)

Rublev 6-6 Medvedev (* denotes server)

We're into first set tiebreak after Daniil holds his serve. Has a little chat with the chair umpire at the end on when a second serve comes into play after an overrule. 

01:21 (IST)

World feed goes down

"Major power outage" on site of US Open and the play was stopped briefly. The commentators talking about power going out inside the tower. 

The television feed from Arthur Ashe Stadium is down. Nick Lester on Amazon Prime reporting that there has been a "major power outage" on site at Flushing Meadows #USOpen

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) September 9, 2020

01:13 (IST)

Who even designs these?

We honestly can't get enough 😍 pic.twitter.com/wv7rJYqvi1

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2020

01:11 (IST)

Rublev 6-5 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

For the first time in this opening set, we get to deuce. Rublev was 40-0 up and has been taken to deuce after a lengthy rally ends in him sending the backhand long. No harm done as Rublev holds not soon after

01:02 (IST)

Rublev 5-4 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Love holds for Medvedev first and Rublev now. Rublev only getting 35% of his first serves in but winning 78% of his first serve points and 76% on the second. Medvedev doing better with his first serve but only just (52%) and yet he's getting good returns of 91% and 60% on first and second serve points won. Rublev has won five return points and Medvedev six.  

00:55 (IST)

Rublev 4-3 *Medvedev (* denotes server)

Rublev doing really well to mix things up. Hitting powerfully from the back of the court and moving up when required to keep Medvedev guessing. Another straightforward hold.

00:52 (IST)

Rublev* 3-3 Medvedev (* denotes server)

Two more comfortable holds for either players. Both conceding one point each. Little being given away ever since that exchange in the opening game

00:43 (IST)

Rublev* 2-2 Medvedev (* denotes server)

Both players dropping two points each on their serves at the start of this match but going on to hold in the end. A 17 and 35 shot rally in the opening game probably a sign of things to come. 

00:27 (IST)

Great stat from that Serena win

Comeback Queen

Serena Williams is now 44-42 when dropping the 1st set at Slams, the most come from behind Slam wins in the Open Era

US Open: 8-11
Australian Open: 12-10
Roland Garros: 12-11
Wimbledon: 12-10#USOpen

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 9, 2020

00:26 (IST)

Pre-match talk: Medvedev

“I think if we're talking only about the game, there are not many similarities… But I think what is similar [is] that starting from juniors, we always tried to get better [and] we always pushed each other. We were always happy when we won and disappointed when we lost. I'm talking also for each other,” Medvedev said. “Really happy that we managed to play in the quarter-finals of a Slam.

“I think we respect each other in and out of the court. It's always tricky to play a friend… Consciously, you prepare for your match [and] try to win it. Unconsciously, you know he's your friend since age eight. I’ve known him already for 16 years. There are some things going on for sure mentally, but you always try to get rid of it.”

“He was always going for crazy shots, going for winners. But he was not consistent before, which was just showing [in] the ranking and the results,” Medvedev said. “He really progressed starting last year. I think he changed something in his mindset, in his game. Now he's one of the best players in the world, only going up the rankings. Really happy for him.”

00:25 (IST)

Now on court: Rublev vs Medvedev

All-Russian contest up next as Daniil Medvedev takes on friend Andrey Rublev. Medvedev holds a 2-0 record with wins last year in Cincinnati and St Petersburg. They had also played in Budapest on a Challenger level where, too, Medvedev had come out on top. 

00:14 (IST)

Winning feeling for Serena once again

Semifinal bound for the 14th time at the #USOpen

Serena Williams battles back to win her third straight 3-set match at the US Open pic.twitter.com/oBIfBkNdQe

— ESPN (@espn) September 9, 2020

00:13 (IST)

Serena Williams is through to her 39th Grand Slam semi-final and 14th at the US Open

00:12 (IST)

Stats from the third set

00:08 (IST)

Serena: "This just shows how tough moms are! She played unbelievable today. I could barely play a match when coming back and she's playing her first tournament in three years. As a mom you're leading a double life - you go back and you're changing them. As moms, if you can give birth, you can do anything!"

"I'm happy to be standing here talking to you. I was almost not here talking to you."

"Vika (Azarenka) and I have had some amazing matches. She won Cincinnati and is playing very well. As is Mertens. I have my work cut out."

The battle of all mothers will be waged Wednesday at the US Open when Serena Williams faces unseeded Tsvetana Pironkova for a berth in the semi-finals.

Williams missed more than a year of competition when she had a daughter in 2017, and has since been seeking a record-tying 24th Major title. Pironkova is playing in her first tournament since she took a break of more than three years to have a son.

In another women's quarter-final match-up, World No 16 Elise Mertens will face unseeded Victoria Azarenka, who is also a mother. Azarenka has won nine consecutive matches, including the final in the Western & Southern Open that was played in New York as an in-the-bubble warm-up for the US Open.

Serena Williams takes on Tsvetana Pironkova in the first quarter-final of Wednesday. Images: AP

Two men's quarter-finals are also scheduled. No 2-seeded Dominic Thiem, a three-time Major runner-up, meets first-time Slam quarter-finalist Alex de Minaur, a 21-year-old Australian. No 3 Daniil Medvedev, last year's Open runner-up, plays No 10 Andrey Rublev.

The path to the men's title is wide open after overwhelming favorite Novak Djokovic was disqualified on Sunday for unintentionally hitting a line judge in the throat with a ball. Each of the men's quarter-finalists is seeking his first Grand Slam title.

(With inputs from The Associated Press)

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/3heQ6WQ

Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd Test Day 4 at Sydney

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Day 3 report: Nathan Lyon took 5-68 as a dominant Australia dismissed New Zealand for 251 before the home batsmen took over to extend their lead to 243 by the close of play on the third day of the third and final Test on Sunday.

Already 2-0 down in the series after thumping defeats in Perth and Melbourne, New Zealand have been ravaged by illness and injury and now face a huge battle to avoid a third heavy loss before they head home.

The Sydney Cricket Ground was turned pink for the 12th straight year in aid of cricketing great Glenn McGrath’s breast cancer foundation but there was nothing charitable about Australia’s approach to the match.

Openers David Warner (23) and Joe Burns (16) steered the hosts to 40 without loss at stumps to add to the first-innings tally of 454 built on the back of Marnus Labuschagne’s maiden double century.

It was the Australian bowling attack, though, that once again set the tone as they took all 10 New Zealand wickets for the fifth time in the series.

Off spinner Lyon carried the ball off the pitch to huge applause an hour after tea after he had Matt Henry stumped to end New Zealand’s innings and secure the 17th five-wicket haul of his career, his first against the Black Caps.

“It’s always special being part of the Sydney test match and playing in front of your family and friends, and to perform in the first innnings was pretty special,” Lyon said.

“There’s still plenty of work to do in the second dig ... but if you were rocking up today and saying we’d end up with a lead of 240 and 10 wickets in hand, we’ll take that every day,” he added.

Henry batted despite breaking the thumb on his non-bowling hand on day one of the match, the latest in a catalogue of misfortune that robbed the tourists of captain Kane Williamson and a string of other top players.

Glenn Phillips, flown over from New Zealand on the eve of the test to cover for the sick Williamson and Nicholls, offered the most resistance with a 52 on his Test debut.

The 23-year-old enjoyed some luck when he was dropped twice by the normally reliable Lyon and again just before tea when he was caught in the deep off a James Pattinson no ball.

He brought up his maiden half century with a brilliant pull shot through square but two balls later was clean bowled by paceman Pat Cummins, who took 3-44 to show once again why he is the world’s top-ranked Test bowler.

“It was a really enjoyable time out there,” Phillips said. “It’s a shame I wasn’t able to go on and extend the innings a bit, but that’s cricket.”

Lyon tops a few lists of his own these days and it was the unassuming off-spinner who broke New Zealand’s early resistance after they had resumed on 63 without loss.

He bowled opener Tom Blundell for 34 and trapped Jeet Raval leg before wicket for 31 in the first session and returned after tea to send back tailenders Will Sommerville and Neil Wagner, both for ducks, in a magnificent two-wicket maiden.

Conditions were much cooler than on Saturday’s second day but there was a distinct smell of smoke in the air from the bushfires that have been raging around Sydney for the last couple of months.

With inputs from Reuters

from Firstpost Sports Latest News https://ift.tt/39JyHD1

Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd Test Day 3 at Sydney

Toggle between the tabs above to switch between quick scorecard, full scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

Day 2 report: Marnus Labuschagne scored a maiden double century to drive Australia to 454 all out before New Zealand's openers resisted the home attack to post 63 without loss on the second day of the third Test on Saturday.

Tom Latham, standing in as captain for the sick Kane Williamson, had made 26 not out at the close of play with Tom Blundell unbeaten on 34 but the tourists know they still have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

Labuschagne is a large part of the reason for that and a hot, sunny day at the Sydney Cricket Ground belonged to the irrepressible 25-year-old, who has enjoyed a golden summer in Australia's home season.

He had a nervous 20 minutes one run short of the double century mark but his 19th four got him over the line and earned him a standing ovation from the crowd.

He finally departed for 215, caught and bowled by spinner Todd Astle, and left the field to another huge ovation having scored 837 runs at an average of 119.57 in five home Tests this season.

Labuschagne faced 363 deliveries in a magnificent innings that looked to have set Australia well on their way to another victory to add to the thumping wins they enjoyed in Perth and Melbourne.

"It was a good day personally but more importantly a good day for Australia," Labuschagne said.

"They fought back, as you would expect, but we'll do the toil and hopefully get the win."

New Zealand made short work of the tail after Labuschagne's exit to dismiss the hosts and bring up tea before their openers headed back out to face Australia's in-form pacemen.

The Black Caps have accumulated only one score in excess of 200 runs in their previous four innings in the series but Latham and Blundell saw off the attack and scrapped their way to stumps.

"It was nice to turn up and show that fight today," said Astle. "It's gonna be a tough ask but that's what this group's about. We'll keep grinding away."

There had been concerns that soaring temperatures forecast for Saturday might worsen the bushfire emergency around Australia and the blanket of acrid smoke that has covered Sydney on several occasions in recent weeks might return.

Labuschagne, however, resumed his innings on 130 under blue skies and was soon passing 150 for the third time in his last seven innings.

With Australia utterly dominating all five home matches this year, their fans have had precious little drama to enjoy so it was perhaps understandable that they made the most of Labuschagne's progress through the 190s.

"Being in the 190s is a bit different to being in the 90s, you're just trying to avoid doing something stupid," Labuschagne added.

The crowd were kept waiting for four overs with Labuschagne stuck on 199 and there were good-hearted boos for captain Tim Paine when he scored a single off the final ball of one to keep the strike for the next.

New Zealand pulled in the field to deny him the single and it worked for seven deliveries until he swiped at a Colin de Grandhomme delivery and got a thick edge that sent the ball racing to the boundary.

With inputs from Reuters

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Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd Test Day 2 at Sydney

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Day 1 report: Marnus Labuschagne scored his fourth century in five matches as Australia dominated a New Zealand side ravaged by illness and missing captain Kane Williamson to reach 283 for three on the first day of the third and final Test on Friday.

With the series already lost after heavy defeats in Perth and Melbourne, the Black Caps were rocked when Williamson, batsman Henry Nicholl and spinner Mitchell Santner were ruled out of the match by a flu virus.

Australia had never needed an invitation to plunder runs over this series and the makeshift New Zealand attack was duly put to the sword on a mostly sunny day when the smoke from the bushfires stayed away from the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Labuschagne looked immovable as he hit a magnificent 130 not out to add to the innings of 185 and 162 he registered against Pakistan in November and the 143 he scored against New Zealand in the first Test.

The 25-year-old piled on the runs in a third-wicket partnership of 156 with Steve Smith (63) and will resume on Saturday with Matthew Wade, who had scored 22 not out off 30 balls by the close of play.

“It’s rare that you play an away team with five changes but that’s the circumstances they have with the sickness,” said Labuschagne.

“It was a nice day out there and a good day for Australia ... I’m just trying to keep it in the moment, just focus on each ball.”

Tom Latham was named New Zealand captain in Williamson’s absence and his first act was to lose a toss the tourists would have been desperate to win after selecting two spinners and dropping paceman Tim Southee.

With Southee’s usual strike partner Trent Boult ruled out by injury, New Zealand started a Test for the first time in more than a decade without one of the pair or Williamson in the side.

Colin de Grandhomme, who took the new ball with Matt Henry, played a part in all three wickets to fall, first having opener Joe Burns caught in the slips off an outside edge for 18.

David Warner departed for 45 three balls after lunch when quick Neil Wagner fired a delivery down the leg side that the Australian opener steered to gully for de Grandhomme to take a fine catch.

Wagner has dismissed Smith four times in four innings this series and the former Australia captain was so determined not to make it five that he took 39 deliveries to get on the board.

The biggest cheer of the first two sessions came when Labuschagne tore off down the wicket for a hurried single that finally got Smith off the mark.

Labuschagne had a nervous spell on 99 but a four, his eighth, to fine leg finally got him to the century mark for the fourth time in 14 tests.

Smith eventually fell to de Grandhomme and the second new ball, the world’s second ranked test batsman clearly furious with himself after leaving his bat out and watching the ball ping off it and into the hands of Ross Taylor at first slip.

With inputs from Reuters

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Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd Test Day 1 at Sydney

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Preview: The New Year’s cricket test at the Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the great fixtures on the Australian sporting calendar but this year it will be heavily overshadowed by the bushfire catastrophe unfolding around the country.

While there was never any chance of any of the hundreds of blazes raging around the country reaching the leafy suburbs of Sydney where the SCG has sat for 171 years, the smoke from the deadly conflagrations is a different matter.

The skies were clear on Thursday when the hosts and New Zealand made their final preparations for the third and final test of the series but there is a very real prospect of thick smoke halting play at some point after the five-day contest gets underway on Friday.

“We won’t be putting the players’ health at risk, nor will we be putting the health of match officials, or fans at the match at risk,” Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts said at the ground.

“This is quite a unique situation but we’re as confident as we can be that we’ve got the right expertise around us and that good judgment will be exercised and the safety of everyone at this great ground will be put first.

“We need to be treating this like rain delays if we have smoke delays.”

Temperatures are forecast to soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) along the south coast on Saturday, bringing the prospect of renewed firefronts to add to the around 200 current blazes and apossible increase in smoke.

A domestic Twenty20 match in Canberra was abandoned because of bushfire smoke on Dec 21.

The ultimate decision over whether to suspend play rests with the match officials, who have the discretion to call the players off the field if the air is considered hazardous or visibility is greatly reduced.

Beleaguered Nation

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison drew flak on Wednesday when he suggested the beleaguered nation would be “inspired” by the match and test captain Tim Paine articulated more modest hopes on Thursday.

“It’s maybe an opportunity for us to provide a distraction for people and a bit of happiness if we can by playing a brand of cricket that Australians can be proud of,” Paine told reporters.

New Zealand last played a New Year’s test in Sydney in 1974 and the tourists would have been hoping to pitch up at the SCG in much better shape than they have done.

The three-match series was lost after heavy defeats in Perth and Melbourne and a flu-like bug has ripped through the squad this week putting captain Kane Williamson and batsman Henry Nicholls in doubt for the match.

The Black Caps have already lost pacemen Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson to injury on this tour and they can ill-afford any weakening of their batting in the face of Australia’s fearsome bowling attack.

The pace of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson combined with the guile of off spinner Nathan Lyon has proved irresistible in four home tests against Pakistan and New Zealand this year.

Cricket great Glenn McGrath, whose breast cancer foundation is the main charity partner for the test, said he thought the current bowlers were now on a par with the much feared attack he once formed with Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne.

“It’s as good a bowling attack as we’ve had,” McGrath said on Thursday.

“A lot of people have said New Zealand have been disappointing, but I think a lot of that’s to do with how our bowlers have bowled.”

With inputs from Reuters

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Australia vs New Zealand, LIVE Cricket Score, 2nd Test Day 1 at MCG

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Preview: Australia and New Zealand will take on each other in the second Test of the three-match series on Thursday. Led by Tim Paine, hosts will aim to seal the series in Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), after having taken a 1-0 lead in Perth in the first Test.

For Kane Williamson and Co, the equation is pretty simple. They need to beat Aussies in MCG and equalise. Then look to clinch the trophy at Sydney early next year. But that is easier said than done.

The onus will be on visitors' batsmen who failed to score even 200 in the two innings of the first Test. Williamson himself will be looking to lead this revival with the bat in hand after scoring a total of 48 runs in the first Test.

Australia's top order is in good form and expect them to come hard at the Kiwi pacers again.

Squad:

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(w), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Todd Astle, Jeet Raval, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson

Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine(w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle

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LIVE Cricket Score, Australia vs Pakistan, 1st Test Day 3 at Brisbane

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Day 2 report: Australia were leading by 72 runs after the end of play on day two in the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba here on Friday.

Australian openers gave a solid start to the team as David Warner and Joe Burns stitched a massive 222-run partnership. Meanwhile, Warner ended his Ashes run drought and amassed a century.

Pakistan got the first and only breakthrough of the day in the 61st over as Yasir Shah bowled Burns. He played a knock of 97 runs.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali and his Australian counterpart Tim Paine pose for a photo ahead of the 1st Test between Australia and Pakistan at The Gabba. Getty

Marnus Labuschagne joined Warner in the middle and built an unbeaten stand of 90 runs for the second wicket.

Warner and Labuschagne are unbeaten at 151 and 55 runs respectively. Australia ended day two at 312/1.

On day one, After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan openers Shan Masood and Azhar Ali gave the side a solid start and kept the Australian bowlers at bay.

Pakistan went into the lunch break at 57/0. This is the first time that Australia failed to take a wicket in the first session of a match being played at the Gabba.

However, as soon as the second session resumed, Australia reduced Pakistan to 94/5. Pakistan went from 75/0 to 78/4 in a span of just 39 balls. Masood (27) was sent back by Pat Cummins while Ali (39) and Babar Azam (1) were dismissed by Josh Hazelwood.

Haris Sohail (1) and Iftikhar Ahmed (7) were scalped by Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon respectively.

Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Rizwan then joined each other in the middle for a 49-run stand. Cummins, then, sent back Rizwan (37) in the 55th over to reduce the visitors to 143/6.

Yasir Shah then got together with Shafiq and stitched together a partnership of 84 runs. It was finally ended by Mitchell Starc as he bowled Shah (26) in the 81st over.

After Shah's dismissal, Starc got back-to-back wickets of Shaheen Afridi (0) and Shafiq (76) to leave Pakistan at 227/9. Starc picked up the last wicket to bundle out Pakistan for 240.

Starc took four wickets for Australia while Shafiq top-scored with 76 runs for Pakistan.

With inputs from ANI

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