US Open 2019 Women's Round of 16: Serena Williams, Elina Svitolina Storm into Quarters at Flushing Meadows

New York, September 2: Six-time champion Serena Williams and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine progressed into the quarter-finals of the US Open after registering thumping victories in their Round of 16 matches at the Flushing Meadows. On Sunday, Williams entered the US Open quarters for the 16th time in her career with a straight-sets win over Petra Martic of Croatia at an electric Arthur Ashe Stadium. Novak Djokovic Out of US Open 2019 After Retiring Hurt in the 4th Round Tie Against Stan Wawrinka With Shoulder Injury.

The 23-time Grand Slam women's singles champion defeated Martic 6-4, 6-3 to set up a last-eight date with China's Wang Qiang, who stunned No.2 seed Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 22 minutes, to move into her maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.

Martic had never been past the second round of the US Open in seven trips to Flushing Meadows, and her lack of big-match experience proved costly, as Williams gained momentum and never took her foot off the pedal. "I feel fine right now physically and obviously my state is super intense," Williams said in the on-court interview after the match. "I'm always incredibly intense. I am just trying to keep moving forward."

No. 5 seed Svitolina stunned No. 10 Madison Keys 7-5, 6-4 to move into last eight of the competition. Svitolina will now face another first-timer in the last eight, No. 16 seed Johanna Konta of England, who rallied past No. 3 Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5. Both the players have faced each other four times over the years, and the Ukrainian holds a 4-0 record against the Brit.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2019 10:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).