Tennis-Halep, Azarenka resume last-eight clash after rain delay

(Updates with resumption of play) NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Play was resumed in the third set of the U.S. Open women's quarter-final between second seed Simona Halep of Romania and former world number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Wednesday after an 85-minute rain delay. Halep belted an ace on the first point contested after the delay to level the match 3-6 6-4 2-2. Skies brightened at Flushing Meadows, though more rain could come later. A threatening forecast of stormy weather had earlier caused organisers to move up the scheduled men's singles quarter-final between second seed Roger Federer and France's Richard Gasquet by an hour to 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT). The halt at Louis Armstrong Stadium was the first rain delay of the championships at Flushing Meadows, where the framework for a centre court roof is in place and expected to be ready for use at next year's tournament. (Reporting by Larry Fine; Editing by Frank Pingue)