NEW YORK -- A look at Thursdays play in the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships:WEATHER: Sunny, hot and humid. High of 88.ATTENDANCE: 22,038.RESULTS (Womens Semifinals): First-time major semifinalist Karolina Pliskova upset six-time U.S. Open champion Serena Williams 6-2, 7-6 (5), ending Williams chance to win her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. Pliskova will face No. 2 Angelique Kerber for the title Saturday. Kerber beat two-time U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3 and will ascend to the No. 1 ranking Monday.ON COURT FRIDAY (Mens Semifinals): No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 10 Gael Monfils, No. 3 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 6 Kei Nishikori.STAT OF THE DAY: 309 -- The number of weeks Serena Williams has been ranked No. 1 on the WTA Tour until Monday, when she will be surpassed by Angelique Kerber.QUOTE OF THE DAY: If I cant turn around after 24 hours and play again then I shouldnt be on tour. So I definitely wasnt tired from yesterdays match at all. -- Serena WilliamsFRIDAY ON TV (All Times EDT): Noon-2 p.m., ESPN2; 3-11 p.m., ESPNON THIS DATE (Sept. 9, 1968): Arthur Ashe beats Tom Okker 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to win the first U.S. mens singles title of the Open era. Aaron Donald Womens Jersey . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Nolan Cromwell Jersey .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. http://www.footballramsshop.us/authentic-eric-dickerson-rams-jersey/ . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Darrell Henderson Rams Jersey . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Deacon Jones Rams Jersey . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Brisbane AFL great Jonathan Brown has described the Lions as dysfunctional and a club divided after Mondays decision to axe Justin Leppitsch as senior coach.Leppitsch was released from the final year of his contract after Brisbane slumped to a 17th-place finish with just three wins this season.Brown, a triple-premiership teammate and good friend of Leppitschs, gave a scathing assessment of his old club as it plunged further into crisis.There is obviously a fair bit of distrust (at board level) and a fair bit of distrust in the football department as well, Brown said on Fox Footys On The Couch on Monday night.So its a big operation (to fix) going forward.The football department has got problems there. Theyre not united, the playing group is not on board with some of the off-field stuff, so it needs to be completely tidied up. It is dysfunctional, unfortunately, at the moment and that hurts me to say as an ex-player.I love the footy club and have good relations with a lot of people at that football club. I love what Leigh Matthews has done for the footy club in the past but unfortunately it looks like there needs to be a fair bit of work done.Brown said he hadnt spoken to Leppitsch in thhe hours following his sacking but had sent him a text message and expects to catch up with him later this week.ddddddddddddLeppitsch didnt attend Mondays media conference at which chairman Bob Sharpless and chief executive Greg Swann announced the move.His management company released a statement saying he would take a few days to reflect on the decision before making any public comment.While disappointed at the state of the Lions, Brown admitted he wasnt surprised to see the axe fall on his mate after three dismal seasons at the helm.I think he was in a bit of trouble ... he presented to the board last week and it was a positive presentation but he was coming from a long back, Brown said.This has probably been in the works for the last few weeks. Leppitsch presented really well and I think he had the support of Leigh Matthews but ... the AFL recommendation was that they probably didnt want Leppa to continue in that job.Ultimately though it was the boards decision, which Leigh Matthews is a part of and unfortunately he got his marching orders one year early. ' ' '