Djokovic, Serena close in on US Open q'finals

MANILA, Philippines – Top-seed Novak Djokovic roared into the fourth round of the US Open with a victory over Joao Sousa of Portugal. The 26-year-old Serb, who has yet to lose a set, smacked 34 winners to just 10 for the 95th-ranked Sousa in the 100-minute rout. Djokovic, a 2011 winner at Flushing Meadows, next faces 43rd-ranked Marcel Granollers of Spain. In the women’s draw, defending champion Serena Williams overpowered fellow American Sloane Stephens to reach the quarter-finals. The top-seeded Williams avenged a defeat to Stephens in the quarter-finals of this year’s Australian Open with a brilliant display of power tennis. Williams is trying to become the oldest women’s US Open champion since tennis turned professional in 1968. -- Mornings @ ANC, September 3, 2013