New York (AFP)

Elina Svitolina opened Tuesday the ball of qualifiers for the semi-finals of the US Open, waiting to know in the evening his opponent, Serena Williams or Wang Qiang.

Stan Wawrinka (24th), who benefited from the defeat of quarterback Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, and Daniil Medvedev (5th), who has been systematically booed by the American public for two rounds, then went on the court Arthur -Ashe for a potentially explosive match at the close of the daytime session.

In a rather neutral atmosphere at the beginning of the game, Medvedev took the service of Wawrinka to lead 2-1 and then confirm 3-1.

Svitolina, 5th in the world, qualified for her first semifinal at Flushing Meadows at the expense of 16-year-old Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-4.

She will face on Thursday Serena Williams (8th) or Wang Qiang (18th) for a place in the final.

"It was a very tough game, we both hit and finish on my service was hot," said the 24-year-old Ukrainian, under the eyes of her companion Gael Monfils who will play her quarter-final on Wednesday against Italian Matteo Berrettini.

This last service game was indeed tense as she had previously had three match points on Konta's service, which the 28-year-old Briton had saved thanks to very good service before returning to 5-4.

"I took the points one after the other" trying to control the pressure, said Svitolina, semifinalist at Wimbledon this year, his best result in Grand Slam so far.

- A Monfils to play -

In the stands, Monfils appreciated. "Now, it's up to him to raise his game to reach the semi-finals!", Svitolina said.

In the evening, Flushing Meadows Queen Serena Williams will attempt to reach the semifinals for the 12th time in 21 appearances.

Six-time US Open winner, the 38-year-old on Sept. 26 dreams of winning her 24th Grand Slam title to equal Australia's Margaret Court record.

The 9th day will end with Roger Federer's 13th quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows, who will be looking to reach the semi-finals for the 12th time also in 20 appearances.

He will have to dismiss Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (78th), who was nicknamed "Baby Federer" when he was young but who has never confirmed the accuracy of this nickname.

The winner of this match will face Wawrinka or Medvedev for a place in the final.

© 2019 AFP