For the fifth time in seven years, an unseeded woman reached the semifinals at the US Open. Due to the last minute withdrawal of third seed Maria Sharapova and the first round loss of seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, the second quarter of the top half of the draw was blown wide open. 40th-ranked Kristina Mladenovic and 43rd-ranked Roberta Vinci took full advantage, and Vinci reached her first ever Grand Slam semifinal winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. It was the first ever singles meeting between the two, although they have met many times before in doubles. Both players have experienced much more success in doubles, both Grand Slam champions.

Vinci took an early lead in the first set, converting on the only break point in the set to go up 3-0. Mladenovic appeared to be slightly flat, possibly from not being fully recovered from her three set fourth round match against Ekaterina Makarova. Vinci did not have to play a fourth round match, as her opponent Eugenie Bouchard suffered a concussion and withdrew. Although the Frenchwoman was dictating play with her massive groundstrokes, Vinci played a much cleaner set, committing just four unforced errors versus 11 for Mladenovic. Vinci used her all court game and defensive skills to take the set 6-3.

The second set provided much more drama with five breaks of serve. Mladenovic held drama free in the first game, and then quickly went up 0-40 on Vinci’s serve. The 22-year-old failed to convert on the six break point opportunities, and disappointingly dropped her next service game with multiple double faults and sloppy errors. The Frenchwoman recovered and broke back immediately, held and broke again to build a 4-2 lead.

Mladenovic lost her serve in the next game, and Vinci held to level the set at 4-4. Mladenovic held her serve in the next game, and at the changeover, requested a medical timeout. A trainer performed treatment on her left leg, and the Frenchwoman consumed unidentified tablets. After the timeout, she appeared in better condition, and was able to take the set 7-5. Mladenovic was able to win the second set with a paltry 33% first serve percentage, but blasted a whopping 24 winners.

In the third set, Mladenovic had multiple break points up 2-1, but Vinci was able to fight them off with crafty volleys and phenomenal defense. A crucial challenge by Vinci went her way, and she was able to win the replay to save a break point. Mladenovic’s service game at 3-3 featured ten deuces, and after five break points Vinci finally capitalized to take control of the set. During the changeover, Mladenovic requested another medical timeout, leaving Vinci furious and fuming at the WTA supervisor. Both players held, and Vinci served out the match winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.

Vinci will face either Serena Williams or Venus Williams in the semifinals. In either matchup, the Italian will be the underdog, lacking the guns to challenge the two powerful sisters. The 32-year-old must use her all court game and craftiness to have a chance.

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Paul Choi
There is no such thing as bad press.