US Open 2016: Wozniacki hands out thrashing to Sevastova to reach semi-finals at Flushing Meadows

ByEurosport

Updated 07/09/2016 at 08:17 GMT

Ruthless Caroline Wozniacki handed out a 6-0 6-2 drubbing to a wounded Anastasija Sevastova to reach the US Open semi-finals and set up a tantalising showdown with second seed Angelique Kerber.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts during the match against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on day nine of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

Two-time US Open finalist Wozniacki proved too good for Sevastova, who was hampered by an injury to her right ankle throughout the contest, to reach the fifth Grand Slam semi-final of her career.

Highlights: Wozniacki storms past hampered Sevastova

Wozniacki, now ranked No. 74 in the world and having herself experienced a season marred by an ankle injury, has rediscovered her best form at Flushing Meadows and means that she is now guaranteed to move up into the top 30 in next week's new rankings list.

Tennis

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

a day ago

''I always believe in myself, no matter what my ranking,'' said former world No. 1 Wozniacki. ''I've beaten pretty much everyone in the draw before.''

''I've rolled my ankle several times, and even this year, I was out for three months with a sprained ankle. So I feel real sorry for her,'' Wozniacki said in an on-court interview. ''It happened early in the match, and then I kept kind of just pushing her back and tried to make her move.''

Sevastova could not cope with the Dane's aggressive, offensive-minded approach under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium..

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark hits a shot to Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on day nine of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

World No. 48 Sevastova, who retired in 2013 before making a comeback, was the first Latvian woman to make a Grand Slam quarter-final since Larisa Neiland at Wimbledon in 1994, but her dreams of reaching the semi-finals were in ruins after turning her ankle early on in the contest.

Wozniacki broke after a lengthy opening game and then again in the third before Sevastova took a medical time-out for her injury.

With Sevastova in clear discomfort Wozniacki took command by wrapping up a bagel first set in just 31 minutes.

Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia receives treatment on a change of ends in her match against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark on day nine of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

The dangerous Dane looked to be heading for a rare double bagel, but Sevastova held serve to huge cheers in the fifth game of the second set.

However, 26-year-old Wozniacki, who first made the final in New York in 2009, losing to Kim Clijsters, then was beaten by Serena Williams two years ago, booked her semi-final spot against Australian Open champion Kerber by serving out the contest to claim the win in 64 minutes.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates after recording match point against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia on day nine of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

Wozniacki and Kerber have met 12 times, with the German leading 7-5, but this will be their first encounter at a Grand Slam.