Top 5 Photos 9/7: Serena avenges loss to Sakkari

By Jordaan SanfordPublished September 07, 2020

On the women's side, two mothers showcased more high quality play to secure their spots in the US Open quarterfinals. Meanwhile, on the men's side, new faces are going deeper than ever before on the major stage.

These are the Top 5 photos from New York.

Serena Williams

Serena avenged her loss to Maria Sakkari from the Western & Southern Open by defeating the Greek, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, to take one step closer to Grand Slam title No. 24. The 38-year old has noticeably been working on her movement and fitness and it helped her to stay in longer rallies and not opt for risky shots.

Serena's into her 12th straight US Open quarterfinal where she will take on fellow mother Tsevtana Pironkova.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates winning match point in the third set during her Women's Singles fourth round match against Maria Sakkari of Greece on Day Eight of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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Tsevtana Pironkova

In her first tournament since Wimbledon 2017, Pironkova is into her first US Open quarterfinals. The Bulgarian was just one point away but let the weight of the moment get to her. She would find the confidence to play freely to ultimately post a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3 win against Alize Cornet.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Tsvetana Pironkova (R)of Bulgaria taps rackets at center court with Alizé Cornet (L) of France after winning their Women's Singles fourth round match on Day Eight of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

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Dominic Thiem

The world No. 3 is not thinking about no members of the Big 3 standing in the way. Thiem is only focused on who's standing across the net. The Austrian fought past a tight first set against Felix Auger-Aliassime to take the match 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1. The No. 2 seed will battle Aussie Alex de Minaur next.

Alex de Minaur

The Aussie erased four set points in the first set against Vasek Pospisil to take out the Canadian, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-2. De Minaur is through to his first major quarterfinal, and will face the new tournament favorite in Thiem.

"At the end of the day, this is where I want to be, and this is where I truly believe I belong, second weeks of slams and going deep," De Minaur told press. "I'm happy I'm finally at this stage."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Alex de Minaur of Australia serves the ball during his Men's Singles fourth round match against Vasek Pospisil of Canada on Day Eight of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Andrey Rublev

The Russian brought the highest intensity and focus to upset Matteo Berrettini. Despite breaking his strings on set point in the third set, he continued to bully Berrettini's backhand and went on to post a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory. With a down-the-line backhand and a loud "Vamos!" the 22-year-old secured his spot in the final eight for the second time in his career.