In the annals of tennis history, few streaks rival the one that Chris Evert maintained at the US Open. From her debut in 1971 to 1986, Evert reached the semifinals in 16 consecutive US Opens, a feat unparalleled in the sport. However, like all great runs, Evert's remarkable streak came to an end on September 9, 1987, when she faced Lori McNeil in the quarterfinals.

The number 16 is not just a statistic; it symbolizes consistency, excellence, and dominance. For 16 straight years, Evert was a guaranteed presence in the final four at the US Open, winning six singles titles along the way. Her journey began as a 16-year-old in 1971, where she stunned the tennis world by reaching the semifinals before losing to Billie Jean King. Over the next decade and a half, Evert's iron will and unmatched baseline game made her a perennial favorite at Flushing Meadows.

However, 1987 marked a different chapter for Evert. At 32, she was no longer the invincible force she once was, although she remained a formidable competitor. That year, she had already skipped the Australian Open due to injury and had fallen short in the semifinals at both the French Open and Wimbledon. As she stepped onto the court against the 23-year-old McNeil, the weight of her legacy and the expectations of the tennis world bore down on her.

Lori McNeil, the 11th seed, was not a player to be taken lightly. Known for her aggressive net play, McNeil had already caused an upset earlier in the tournament by defeating her friend and doubles partner, Zina Garrison. McNeil's strategy against Evert was clear from the start—pressure her from the net, force her to make difficult shots, and capitalize on any sign of vulnerability.

The match began with Evert taking the first set 6-3, but it was clear that she was not at her best. Evert later admitted, "When I won the first set, 6-3, I felt like I didn’t play well at all. Lori was just making a lot of errors. I couldn’t get going." McNeil seized the opportunity, adjusting her game plan and executing it with precision. She broke Evert's serve five times in the final set, and her relentless approach paid off. McNeil charged the net an astonishing 90 times during the match, winning 46 of those points.

Evert, known for her steely composure, fought valiantly, but her serve—usually solid, if nothing else—betrayed her in crucial moments. In the third set, Evert double-faulted three times in a single game, a rarity that highlighted the immense pressure she was under. McNeil, sensing the historic moment, stayed composed and won the final point with a sharply angled backhand volley, securing a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory.

After the match, Evert reflected on the reality of aging in a sport that demands the utmost precision and physicality. "I guess that’s what happens when you get old," she remarked. "You have a few more bad days. And today was a bad day." Despite the loss, Evert handled the situation with her characteristic grace, facing the press immediately after the match and acknowledging McNeil's excellent performance.

Lori McNeil's victory not only ended Evert's 16-year semifinal streak at the US Open but also signaled a changing of the guard in women's tennis. Evert's defeat marked the first time since 1974 that she had not reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament, underscoring the extraordinary nature of her previous achievements.

In the years that followed, Evert's legacy only grew, but the 1987 US Open remains a poignant reminder that even the greatest champions have their limits. For tennis fans, the end of Evert's streak was not just the conclusion of a number, but the end of an era.