Two-time defending champion Serena Williams will face Caroline Wozniacki in Sunday’s US Open women’s final after the pair advances in starkly different fashions to the showpiece match.
Wozniacki reached her second final in New York amid dramatic scenes when Peng Shuai was forced to retire mid-match from their semi-final with severe cramping in the intense heat. Williams then blitzed Ekaterina Makarova 6-1 6-3 in an hour.
The rampant world No.1 will be bidding to join fellow American greats Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert with 18 career majors, while Wozniacki is chasing her first grand slam title.
“I want to win and make a little history,” Williams said.
Williams was in devastating form, breaking Makarova five times to crush Russia’s 17th seed in exactly 60 minutes and extend her winning streak at her home major to 20 matches.
The five-time champion will be a raging favourite to beat Wozniacki and also become the first woman since Evert – who won four straight titles from 1975-78 – to complete a hat-trick in New York.
Wozniacki progressed after Peng had to quit while trailing 7-6 (7-1) 4-3 and game point down in Friday’s first semi-final.
Peng was left facing further medical treatment after being escorted from Arthur Ashe Stadium in a wheelchair after twice breaking down.
With Wozniacki down a break point trying to hold for a 5-3 advantage, Peng was afforded an “off-court evaluation” after suffering cramping in both legs.
The 28-year-old was then allowed a three-minute medical timeout before returning to the court some quarter of an hour later.
Commentating on American television, tennis great John McEnroe said Peng shouldn’t have been allowed to play on, and certainly not without a penalty.
Wozniacki won the first point upon the resumption of play when Peng returned long.
But the Dane coughed up her 10th double-fault to hand Peng another break point.
Barely able to move, Peng was unable to capitalise and collapsed for a second time shortly after.
“I feel sick to my stomach watching this,” McEnroe said before the match was finally stopped.
“This is crazy for letting this happen. It’s a black eye. It’s absurd.
“I thought I’d seen it all.”
While fellow commentators condemned the bizarre situation as “both unsafe for Peng and unfair on Wozniacki”, the Danish winner once again showed her class.
The recipient of the US Open women’s sportsmanship award last week, Wozniacki said it was a shame the match had to end in such a manner.
“You want a battle and you want to finish it off,” Wozniacki said.
“I feel very sorry for Peng.”
Wozniacki had to overcome a viral illness herself to prevail in a match contested with the extreme heat policy in effect at Flushing Meadows.
The 24-year-old needed medication in the second set for a viral illness.
“I’ve been in bed for the last two days,” Wozniacki said.
“I had two days off, which was lucky.”
Wozniacki now has the chance to atone for a 2009 final loss to Kim Clijsters.
“It’s incredible. It’s been five years. I’ve got goosebumps right now,” she said.
