The last two women’s champions were already out of the U.S. Open and now the 2021 runner-up and another semifinalist are gone. Top players are falling fast in Flushing Meadows, and Serena Williams took care of another one Wednesday night. Hours before Williams beat No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit, third-seeded Maria Sakkari was ousted 3-6,…
New York, Sep. 1 (AP/PTI): The last two women’s champions were already out of the U.S. Open and now the 2021 runner-up and another semifinalist are gone. Top players are falling fast in Flushing Meadows, and Serena Williams took care of another one Thursday (IST). Hours before Williams beat No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit, third-seeded Maria Sakkari was ousted 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 by Wang Xiyu of China in the second round. Then, minutes after Williams’ victory, No. 14 Leylah Fernandez was knocked off 6-3, 7-6 (3) by Liudmila Samsonova, a year after the Canadian lost to Emma Raducanu in the final. Fernandez only recently returned to action after missing much of the summer with a stress fracture in her right foot. She would have played Williams if both reached the fourth round but knew that would be difficult, estimating her game was only about 30%. It’s hard to get to the highest level, but it’s so easy to get back down and that’s what happening right now, Fernandez sa