Serena Survives US Open Scare But Advances to 4th Round in Quest for Grand Slam

Serena Williams survived a tough match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands to advance to the fourth round of the US Open. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Serena Williams withstood a major scare against fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands but survived and advanced in her quest for a calendar Grand Slam.

After dropping the first set to the 30-year-old Mattek-Sands, Williams rebounded for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory in a third-round match before a capacity crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Williams let loose a scream after hitting a forehand overhead smash on her third match point.

“I’m not trying to live on the edge,” she said on court of losing a set for the 10th time this year in a major. “Playing players, they come out really strong. I don’t think I came out too slow today, I just think Bethanie came out really well and I had to do things, and I had to adapt to her game.”

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American Jack Sock Collapses With Cramps at US Open

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NEW YORK — Jack Sock became the latest victim of the brutal heat and humidity at this US Open when he collapsed and fainted while receiving medical attention on Thursday afternoon.

The Lincoln, Nebraska native became the 11th man to retire at the Open when he suffered a massive bout of cramps while up on Ruben Bemelmans of Belgium, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-1 on the Grandstand.

”Playing in the US Open is the biggest and most important moment of the season for me, so having to retire from my match today is extremely disappointing,” Sock said in a statement. “I want to thank everyone for their support and can’t wait to be back next year. I feel better already and look forward to playing Davis Cup.”

“The conditions today probably hurt him,” Eric Sock, his brother, told ESPN.

The No. 28 seed, Sock had high hopes for this Open and a win would have put him up against French Open champ Stan Wawrinka, who edged the young Korean Hyeon Chung, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (6).