Serena Williams’ quest to make more tennis history was put on hold with play at the US Open postponed on Thursday due to heavy rain in New York.

Top-ranked defending champion Williams, who is chasing the first calendar grand slam since Steffi Graf in 1988, will now play Italy’s Roberta Vinci in Friday’s first semi-final starting at 11am (0000, Saturday AEST) followed by Romania’s second-ranked Simona Halep facing Italian 26th seed Flavia Pennetta in the second last-four clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The start time of the men’s semi-finals on Friday has been delayed two hours to 5pm. (0600 AEST).