Top-ranked players Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek continue to lead the US Open draw, reaching the quarterfinals of a tournament that features almost daily surprises with minimal noise.
Sinner disappointed a multi-day match by beating Tommy Paul 7-6(3) 7-6(5) 6-1 in an entertaining fourth-round encounter, after Swiatek beat Lyudmila Samsonova 6-4 6-1. In a more discreet atmosphere. On the main court of Arthur Ashe Stadium in the second gallery.
The Italian offender had a bad look in Paul's third set, but he did his best when the American had to be subdued and continued in a match that gave water to the mouth in the final rounds like the 2021 champion, Daniil Medvedev.
“I can be very proud today, it was a tough opponent, so I'm very happy to be in the next round,” said Sinner, who beat Medvedev in Melbourne in January to win his only Grand Slam title.
“Don't come too often, (Mas) tries to think mentally. And this card was definitely one of the keys to winning this match.”
Russia's Medvedev has already shrugged off a delay caused by an unexpected fire alarm as he is set to beat Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-0, 6-1, 6-3.
Like Medvedev, Swiatek is the only former singles champion left in the Polonaise draw and she used her incredible speed to a comfortable win over Samsonova before declaring she would be better.
“It didn’t start and it wasn’t easy to get into rhythm,” the 2022 champion said of his week in New York.
“So I'm happy to play some games here, and I'm definitely getting better day by day,” he added.
American Arthur Ashe fans happened to be celebrating Labor Day weekend, when Jessica Pegula beat Diana Schnyder 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals without dropping a set.
Heading into the sixth match, which Alberto Da France lost due to injury, but winning Alberto's warm-up event in the US and Canada last week, he felt his game was heading in the right direction.
“This was the best I've ever felt, so I want to keep working and play my best in the last few shots,” said the 30-year-old.
“There's always a lot of press here, but you enjoy it. It's great to be an American here and get all the support.”
Although he has reached the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slams, he has never been there, and his path to the semi-finals this week is blocked by the imposing figure of world No. 1, Swiatek.
The only minor upset came on Day 8 of the tournament when Karolina Muchova, who reached the semi-finals here last year, beat fifth seeded Italian Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3.
Without a regular starter after surgery for an injury, he had no pulse in last year's Uefa Cup in the United States, which left two families for 10 months, and showed his quality in getting past Paolini, who passed away at the end of the Uefa Cup in France and at Wimbledon this year.
Muchova will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia after the Brazilian produced 40 winners to beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 3-6 6-3.
Final 🎱#US Open pic.twitter.com/5RRv42dgJK
– E (@WTA) September 3, 2024
Jack Draper is also on Louis Armstrong Stadium and becomes the first British player since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the final at Flushing Meadows after beating Tomas Matszczak 6-3 6-1 6-2.
The No. 25 seed is yet to drop a set in the tournament and will face Australian Alex de Minaur in his first Grand Slam quarter-final in the fourth round.
De Minaur won a tight encounter with compatriot Jordan Thompson 6-0 3-6 6-3 7-5 to reach his third consecutive Grand Slam final, the first Australian he has faced since Lleyton Hewitt two decades ago.
Quality quarter-finals or waiting 🍿 pic.twitter.com/iBYsQ815KJ
– Tennis Uberto Dos EUA (@usopen) September 3, 2024
