NEW YORK -- A look at Tuesdays play in the $46.3 million U.S. Open tennis championships:WEATHER: Mostly cloudy with intermittent drizzle. High of 79.ATTENDANCE: Day: NA.MENS RESULTS (Quarterfinals): No. 10 Gael Monfils routed No. 24 Lucas Pouille in straight sets to reach his first U.S. Open semifinal; No. 1 Novak Djokovic faced No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the late match.WOMENS RESULTS (Quarterfinals): No. 2 Angelique Kerber advanced to her first U.S. Open semifinal since 2011, beating No. 7 Roberta Vinci in straight sets; two unseeded players, Anastasija Sevastova and two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki met in the night match.TOP PLAYERS ON COURT WEDNESDAY (Quarterfinals): Men: No. 2 Andy Murray vs. No. 6 Kei Nishikori; No. 3 Stan Wawrinka vs. Juan Martin del Potro. Women: No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 5 Simona Halep; No. 10 Karolina Pliskova vs. Ana Konjuh.STAT OF THE DAY: 9 -- Consecutive games won by Angelique Kerber to close out the match after Roberta Vinci served for the first set, up 5-4.QUOTE OF THE DAY: Its a court I love. I always say that the French is my home, but this one is my second. -- Gael Monfils, who reached his first U.S. Open semifinal.WEDNESDAY ON TV (All Times EDT): Noon-6 p.m., ESPN; 7-11 p.m., ESPN2ON THIS DATE (Sept. 7, 1953): Maureen Connolly becomes the first woman to complete a Grand Slam, beating Doris Hart 6-2, 6-4 for the womens singles title. Nike Tanjun Outlet . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Cheap Nike Tanjun Online . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. http://www.cheapniketanjun.net/ . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. Nike Tanjun Clearance . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Nike Tanjun Shoes On Sale . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Ralph Brancas baseball life will always be defined by one pitch.Branca, who gave up a home run to the Giants Bobby Thomson, the Shot Heard Round the World that cost the Brooklyn Dodgers the 1951 National League pennant, has died at the age of 90.?His son-in-law, former major league manager Bobby Valentine, said that Branca died Wednesday at a nursing home in Rye, New York. No cause of death was given. Valentine announced Brancas death on Twitter.Thomsons home run on Oct. 3, 1951, one of the most famous in baseball history, completed the Miracle of Coogans Bluff, the Giants climb from a 12?-game deficit in the NL.Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement that said in part, Ralph was a true gentleman who earned universal respect in the game he loved and served so well. Ralphs participation in the Shot Heard Round the World was eclipsed by the grace and sportsmanship he demonstrated following one of the games signature moments.He is better remembered for his dedication to the members of the baseball community. He was an inspiration to so many of us.Branca was born in 1926, the 15th of 17 children, and was raised in Mount Vernon, New York, just north of New York City. He arrived in the major leagues as an 18-year-old in 1944.On April 15, 1947, Branca was standing next to Jackie Robinson during pregame ceremonies as Robinson prepared to break baseballs color barrier. Mindful of the death threats that had been made against Robinson, Brancas brother John worried that he could have been collateral damage in any attempt on Robinsons life.What if the guys a lousy shot, John Branca asked.Then I wouldve died a hero, Ralph answered.Branca went on to have his best season in 1947, posting a 21-12 record with a 2.67 ERA. He became the second-youngest pitcher to win 20 games and earned the first of his three consecutive All-Star Game selectioons.ddddddddddddBranca to me was a hero. I admired him so much, Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda said in a statement released by the Dodgers. Ralph and I became very close, my family and his family. I always enjoyed being around him. He was a tough one in every way and I really admired him.Branca pitched in the major leagues for 12 seasons, posting an 88-58 record, but hes best remembered for the home run he gave up to Thomson.The Dodgers held a 4-2 lead in the third game of a three-game playoff against the Giants when Branca came on in relief of Don Newcombe with one out and two men on. Thomson hit Brancas second pitch down the left field line for the game-winning home run.Later Branca recalled sitting with a priest and family friend, asking why this had happened to him.Because, he was told, youre strong enough to bear it.Branca and Thomson, wedded in baseball lore, later forged a friendship that carried through appearances and card shows. Thomson died in 2010 at the age of 86.I was closer to Ralph than to any other Dodger. We traveled around the world and became very good friends, Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully said in the Dodgers statement. He carried the cross of the Thomson home run with dignity and grace. I was grateful for his friendship and I grieve at his death. He was a great man.When he retired, Branca became a financial executive, selling insurance policies. He appeared as a contestant on the game show Concentration in 1963, winning 17 consecutive times. And he became a driving force behind the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) that helps former ballplayers who fall on hard times.Branca and his wife, Ann, had two daughters, Patricia and Mary. Valentine married Mary Branca in 1977. ' ' '