Hantuchova back in US Open quarters after extended absence

The first time Daniela Hantuchova reached the US Open quarter-finals she was a teenager. The second time she is 30.

The unseeded Slovak defeated American wild-card Alison Riske 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to end an extended absence from the last eight at Flushing Meadows since her loss to Serena Williams in 2002 as a 19-year-old.

In a commendable career, Hantuchova has since reached the world number five ranking, won the Fed Cup, secured the career grand slam in mixed doubles and made the semi-finals of the 2008 Australian Open. And now, having fallen to number 48 in the world, Hantuchova is back where it all started.

"It means a lot to me because I love New York," she said. "I could live here in one second. I just love the city, it's got so much energy, atmosphere. It's the last grand slam of the year and obviously you always want to finish on a high.

"The tournament is only starting now for me. It just means the world to me to again be in the quarter-finals."

Hantuchova will meet either second-seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or 13th-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia for a place in the semi-finals.

She said there was a simple reason why players over 30, including Serena Williams and Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt, were faring well in the men's and women's events at Flushing Meadows.