NEW YORK — Thanks to Mother Nature, Serena Williams‘ quest for a calendar Grand Slam will have to wait a day.
The women’s semifinals were postponed to Friday morning at 11 a.m. due to the weather, and will be followed by the men’s semifinals beginning at 5 p.m. There will be two separate ticketing sessions in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The women were supposed to begin play Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
No. 2 Simona Halep will meet No. 26 Flavia Pennetta in the first semifinal at 11 on Friday, with No. 1 Williams to face another Italian, Roberta Vinci, in the second match. Williams is 4-0 against Vinci, 7-0 against Pennetta and 6-1 against Halep.
Williams, who is seeking to become the first player since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win the Grand Slam, is 17-1 against the remaining three players.
“Much more pressure on Serena,” 18-time Major winner Chrissie Evert told Chris Clarey of the New York Times. “Social media. The drama in her comebacks. Being American. Her story and journey transcend the sport. Steffi was quiet, sheltered, and Grand Slams were not as big as they are today. Steffi might have had German press following her every move. Serena has worldwide press.”
Williams is also seeking her 22nd career Major, which would tie Graf for second all-time. There has been speculation that Graf would present the championship trophy to Williams on Saturday, but nothing has been confirmed.
Andre Agassi, Graf’s husband and an eight-time Grand Slam tournament winner, attended Roger Federer’s quarterfinal win on Wednesday night.
As for the men, No. 1 Novak Djokovic will now face defending champ Marin Cilic at 5 p.m. Friday, with Federer set to meet countryman Stan Wawrinka afterward.
The men will then have Saturday off before Sunday’s final.
