Anastasija Sevastova has become something of a US Open specialist.
In her third consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals at the year's final Grand Slam, the No. 19 seed upset defending champion and No. 3 seed Sloane Stephens in straight sets to reach the last four for the first time.
"I think it was third time lucky, but if I would lose, I would also be proud of myself," Sevastova said after the match. "Three times [in the] quarters. It's not happening every year or every day."
Read more: Sevastova stuns defending champ Stephens
One time? A surprise.
Two times? Not too shabby.
But three times? Much like the fine drop shots that flowed from her racquet over 84 minutes on Tuesday -- well, that's skill.
And it might not have happened at all had she not given tennis one more try.
In her first run to the last eight at the US Open, the Latvian was in the midst of a comeback. She retired from the sport in 2013 after a promising but injury-plagued start to her tennis career, but was back on tour less than two years later as her body healed and her desire to play returned.
"You feel happy. I think you need some time to look, to look at this journey. It was an amazing journey, this three, four years," she reflected.
"I had done not many goals [when I came back]. Maybe Top 100. I was thinking, 'Okay, maybe a couple of years, play Top 100. Enjoy the game.'"
She reached the last eight in 2016 while unseeded, defeating then-No. 3 seed Garbine Muguruza and No. 13 seed Johanna Konta before falling to eventual runner-up Caroline Wozniacki -- a match in which she suffered an ankle injury and was unable to compete at her best.
"It's not every day you play semifinals of a Grand Slam."
Last year, as the No. 16 seed, she stunned five-time major champion Maria Sharapova before losing to Stephens in a thriller, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 -- despite leading by a break in the final set.
After prevailing in Tuesday's rematch, Sevastova said that last year's defeat -- even 12 months later -- was still a little fresh in her mind.
"it was tough playing, and a tough loss last year. Every loss you learn something, and I was okay if we would play three sets," she added. "I was also thinking about that match at 4-1 in the second set, but it happened. I think it was a great match last year, and look what happened now?"
She's well-versed in US Open quarterfinals, but up next for Sevastova is uncharted territory: She's never before made it this far in any Grand Slam.
"Obviously when you win more, you have higher goals. When you're winning a tournament, you think that's normal. I can win it maybe next week again," she said. "You have to appreciate it more. You have to see that what you're doing, it's like a privilege here.
"I hope I will enjoy it, playing semifinals. It's not every day you play semifinals of a Grand Slam."
