Clarke edges Hagmann 6-3 7-5 to reach US Open final

Chukwumelije Clarke reached the US Open final with a controlled 6-3, 7-5 win over Kennedy Drenser Hagmann in the semifinals. The difference sat on second serve: Clarke won 68.0 percent of points behind hers, while Hagmann managed just 29.4 percent and coughed up seven double faults. Hagmann was the cleaner striker on first delivery, landing 68.5 percent of them and winning 78.4 percent, but she could not get enough of them in the tight moments. Clarke, in by contrast, put only 53.7 percent of first serves in yet won 65.5 percent of those points with a single double fault. A composed performance carried her into the title match.