U.S. Open: Venus Williams edges Kvitova in thriller

Venus Williams, seeded ninth, came through in a riveting 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) quarterfinal against 13th-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic to move into the U.S. Open semifinals. She is one match away from reaching the third Grand Slam final of the year.

The match ended Kvitova’s remarkable run at the tournament just nine months after suffering a knife attack at her home, which left her requiring surgery to her playing hand.

“Everything she has gone through is unbelievable,” said Williams, following her win.

Venus was broken in the game for the first time at 3-1 in the first set, when she double-faulted thrice. She, however, grabbed at the opportunity to break back again in the 6th game, levelling it at 3-3 and breaking once more at 5-3.

A couple of bad games from her in the second set saw Kvitova surging ahead to 4-1 and there was nothing Williams could do as the set slipped away. The match came down to a tie-break where a booming return at 1-1 saw Venus surge ahead and ultimately take the decider 7-2.