Firstly, Kimiko Date-Krumm’s (S-FIT, POLYTOUR SPIN) performance in this year’s US Open is simply inspiring. She’s the oldest player in the tournament, and on her way to the first doubles semifinal of her career. Playing against fellow YONEX player Zheng Jie (EZONE Ai 98, POLYTOUR SPIN) and her partner Andrea Hlavackova (RQiS 2 Tour, POLYTOUR PRO 125), Kimiko and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova commanded the three-set quarterfinal match. Kimiko and her partner took the first set swiftly in 33 minutes; but Jie came back strong in the second set, evening the match. However, it was seniority that won in the end, with Kimiko/Barbora taking control of the final set right off the bat, keeping the pressure on their opponents heavy until the very end. The match ended at 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. “To be playing at a level like this at 43… there isn’t a word for this. She’s amazing!” said Kimiko’s partner on the veteran’s incredible performance in a comment on the ATP official website.
If both Kimiko and Martina Hingis (EZONE Ai 100, POLYTOUR PRO 125, SHT-PRO) win their semifinal matches, it will be an all-YONEX women’s doubles final.
In other news, Stan Wawrinka (VCORE Tour G, SHT-PRO) had his quarterfinal match in the evening against Japan’s Kei Nishikori. It was a heated full-set, four-hour affair that kept spectators at the edge of their seats. Stan came in strong in the first set, defeating his opponent confidently in 30 minutes. After the Japanese player took sets two and three, Stan went on to take the exhausting fourth set in a tiebreaker. While Stan was unable to proceed to the semifinals, he boasts great numbers, hitting 68 winners and 18 aces. He’s had a great season so far, winning the Australian Open, as well as reaching the quarterfinals in Wimbledon.
In the junior tournament, number 9 seed Anhelina Kalinina (VCORE Xi 100, POLYTOUR SPIN) of Ukraine is through to round 3 of the girls’ singles tournament. She beat England’s Katie Swan in straight sets, winning 93% of her first serve points, and breaking three times while her opponent couldn't create a single break chance. The final score was 6-3, 6-2. She has great promise, winning this year’s Australian Open girls’ doubles title.
In the tournament’s final days, be sure to keep your eyes on YONEX’s players!
Tournament Results [2014 US Open, Day 10]
Men’s Singles [Quarterfinal]
[10]Kei Nishikori (JPN) def. [3]Stan Wawrinka (VCORE Tour G, SHT-PRO)(SUI) 3-6 7-5 7-6(7) 6-7(5) 6-4
Women’s Doubles [Quarterfinal]
Kimiko Date-Krumm (S-FIT, POLYTOUR SPIN)(JPN)/Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) def. Zheng Jie (EZONE Ai 98, POLYTOUR SPIN)(CHN)/Andrea Hlavackova (RQiS 2 Tour, POLYTOUR PRO 125)(CZE) 6-3 4-6 6-2
Girls’ Singles [Round 2]
[9]Anhelina Kalinina (VCORE Xi 100, POLYTOUR SPIN)(UKR) def. Katie Swan (GBR) 6-3 6-2