Key events
Jannik Sinner defeats Christopher O’Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2
The favourite for the men’s US Open title is through in the most straightforward of style. Sinner serves out on Arthur Ashe without trouble. He looked as cool as cucumber in that dominant victory. Will it be Tommy Paul next on Monday? Or can Gabriel Diallo spring the upset? We shall see.
Sinner leads O’Connell 5-2 in the third set, so he’s just one game from victory. The player the Australian Open champion will face in the next round if/when he closes this out? Why, I’m glad you asked, it’s the winner of the North American duel between No 14 seed Tommy Paul (USA) and Gabriel Diallo (Canada). They’re locked at 5-5 in the first set.
Liudmila Samsonova has an early advantage over home player Ashlyn Krueger in the women’s singles: the Russian player is 4-1 ahead in the first set. Also just starting is Caroline Wozniacki against Jessika Ponchet – Wozniacki holding serve in the opening game.
Our writer in NYC, Tumaini Carayol, has written about Novak Djokovic’s shock third-round defeat. Well worth a read!
As Novak Djokovic sat down to dissect his startling third-round defeat at the US Open in the early hours of Saturday morning he no longer had the patience to mince his words. He had played so terribly throughout his time in New York, he noted, that reaching the third round had actually been a success. Most of all, he felt drained after a long, intense summer.
“Obviously it had an effect,” said Djokovic. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it’s the US Open, gave it a shot and I tried my best. I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas.”
Jack Draper will face Tomas Machac in the fourth round; he also won in three sets earlier. This side of the draw has really opened up so both players will sense an opportunity. Meanwhile, Sinner is already a break up in the third set against O’Connell. Another straight-set win looks to be on the cards.
Jannik Sinner has won the second set against Christopher O’Connell: he leads 6-1, 6-4. We’ve seen some big upsets in the men’s singles this week in Flushing Meadows but it does not look like the world No 1 is about to join that list – he’s firmly in control so far.
“A solid match, a little bit scrappy. A bit up and down,” says Jack Draper, probably a little modestly, his hair flopping into his face in the manner of a young Hugh Grant. “Last year I had a tough years with injuries, but this year I have been able to stay on court … this is what I put all the hard work in for. I’m really greatful to all the people around me and the support I get.”
Jack Draper beats Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Jack Draper absolutely cruises through against Botic van de Zandschulp. He wins that service game – saving the ninth of his 10 break points – to take victory with his first match point. He hasn’t dropped a set as he goes into the second week. For Van de Zandschulp, perhaps a case of after the lord mayor’s show after his win against Carlos Alcaraz.
Just before Draper looks to close out this match I am handing over to Alex Reid. Enjoy and see you in an hour.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-5 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp opens his service game with three double faults, Draper on break point without hitting a ball. He then won the next point and so Draper will serve for the match.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 4-6, 2-4 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper leads 30-15 on his serve, if he can hold here to back up the break he really will be in full control of this match. He gets to 40-15 but sends it out to allow Van de Zandschulp more opportunity to battle back. Draper holds and this looks like it will be the Brit’s day.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-3 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
A smash levels Van de Zandschulp’s service game 15-15 but he sends it out to give Draper the lead but the Dutchman levels it again. Draper has break point after an error from Van de Zanderschulp and a double fault does it. Draper in the driving seat.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 4-6, 2-2 Draper (* denotes the next server)
The overarching topic of this match is Draper’s tough service games. He has managed to come through them largely unscathed but that is more about Van de Zandschulp’s errors. But this one is an easy breeze with Draper up to 40-0. And he holds.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-1 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp gets to 30-0 after some errors from Draper but gets a point on the board with a long shot from the Dutch player. The drop shot from Draper is a tactic Van de Zandschulp knows too well now and he plants a perfect return to lead 40-15. And he holds.
Tommy Paul v Gabriel Diallo is just getting underway. Elsewhere in the men’s singles Sinner leads O’Connell 2-1 in the second set after winning the first 6-1.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 4-6, 1-1 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp places a beautiful shot but then sends one long and Draper’s volley is then skewed to give the Dutch player a 30-15 lead. Draper’s drop shot is anticipated this time but his opponents who cleanly returns and Draper then hits it out to give Van de Zandschulp break point. Draper saves the first and the second, the second save coming with an ace to send it to deuce. Draper sends a shot long and Van de Zandschulp has another set point, he hasn’t been ruthless with his set points and he doesn’t get it this time with another ace. The Brit gets the advantage and holds.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 1-0 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
So Van de Zandschulp needs to win the next three sets to go through to the next round. A double fault sees it 15-15 with the Dutch player opening the service games for this set. Draper wins the next point but a huge forehand winner puts it 30-30. He then shouts as he puts in another impressive shot and then Draper hits the net.
Shnaider wins in straight sets
Diana Shnaider has beaten Sara Errani 6-2, 6-2 to reach the next round of the US Open.
It was a great performance from Shnaider.
Draper wins the second set, Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Draper will serve for the second set now but he loses the first point. He has not had clean service games so far but he levels it 15-15. Van de Zandschulp has too much power on one shot and then he hits the net so Draper is one point away from the set. He doesn’t seal it first with a rogue shot but an ace does.
Sinner has won the first set 6-1 after a completely dominant display against O’Connell. He had raced to 5-0 but O’Connell held and then the Italian served for the first set.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-5 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp needs to hold here to stay in this set but it starts badly for the Dutch player with Draper winning the first point but the Brit pushed a shot long to level it 15-15. Draper then hits a great shot and has a forehand winner to have break and set point. He has two chances to do so can he do it on the first try? No he can’t, an ace puts it 40-30 in Draper’s favour. The Brit then hits the net so we head to deuce. Van de Zandschulp gets advantage and he sees it out, an important hold.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 3-5 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp’s return on serve goes out but then Draper hit the net, it seems he was trying to land a drop shot but it fell short. The Dutch player hits the net and he looked to have set up a perfect shot but his backhand goes out of play. Draper then holds to close in on this second set.
Sinner is absolutely running the show against O’Connell and the Australian is yet to win a game.
In the first set Sinner leads 5-0.
Draper breaks. Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 3-4 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp is the one who is looking more poised at the moment but Draper is fighting well. The Brit’s drop shot has been a thorn in his opponent’s side and it works again to level it 15-15, Draper wins the next point and Van de Zandschulp hits the net to gift the Brit two break points. A double fault sees Draper break, wow.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 3-3 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper will want more of an easy service game here, so far only one has been smooth sailing. He starts well, getting to 30-0 and another point sees him almost getting a perfect serve game but Van de Zandschulp hits back to win two points and again the Brit is forced to fight on his serve. But Draper then holds.
Sinner has already broken O’Connell in their match and he leads 2-0 in the first set.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 3-2 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Draper puts in a good forehand winner, it bounces just on the line. Van de Zandschulp lodged his own points to gain a 30-15 lead but then he double faults to let Draper back in. The Brit sends the ball long and the Dutch star is on the brink of holding and he does so.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 2-2 Draper (* denotes the next server)
The game gets to 15-15 and next they play a long rally and Draper wins the point with a great drop shot. Van de Zandschulp isn’t fading here though and he levels and then has a break point – again the Draper serve is challenged. Van de Zandschulp came to the net and it proved to be the wrong decision as Draper sent a strong forehand which he couldn’t return and so we head to deuce. He wins advantage and he looks to seal the game with a smash but it has too much on it to bring the game to deuce. So many times Draper could land blows to his opponent but he hasn’t taken it. He does hold though.
Jannik Sinner is just getting underway on the Arthur Ashe court and he is taking on Christoper O’Connell. I’ll bring you the headlines from that one.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 2-1 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Draper sends a long shot out and Van de Zandschulp places a perfect drop shot. The Brit can’t return a serve and then the Dutch player holds. A quick game.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 1-1 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Can Draper have a clean service game this time? Again the pair come to the net but Draper lands a great shot and then Van de Zandschulp can’t return a shot. He wins the game with no drama this time, maybe the first set win has settled him into the match.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 1-0 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
A strong service game sees Van de Zandschulp 40-15 but Draper wins the next point. But the Brit then hits the net to hold.
Julian Cash and Robert Galloway have taken the first set against Tristan Boyer and Emilio Nava 7-6 (10-8) after a tie break in the men’s doubles.
Draper wins first set. Van de Zandschulp* 3-6 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper is serving for the set and he gets two forehand winners but then can’t return a shot from Van de Zandschulp. An ace gives Draper set point but he doesn’t take it on the first time of asking. He then sends a shot long to put us at deuce, wow. An ace gives him advantage but he hits the net next – there has not been one serve where Draper has had a clean hold. The Dutch player then plays a great shot to get advantage and break point but an ace saves the break. Advantage swings the Brit’s way with Van de Zandschulp hitting the net but a huge smash brings it back to deuce – this is crazy. A net hit again from Van de Zandschulp gives him advantage and he then holds to take the set.
Draper breaks back. Van de Zandschulp 4-4 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp has a chance to level the set here, all he has to do is hold. Draper has a forehand winner and a delicious drop shot puts the Brit 30-0 ahead. A rogue shot from Van de Zandschulp gifts Draper break point and he gets it with the Dutch player hitting the net.
Pegula through to the next round
Jessica Pegula has beaten Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets to make the next round of the US Open.
The American won 6-3, 6-3.
Draper broken. Van de Zandschulp* 3-4 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Some close net tennis again with Draper hitting the net this time, a weak backhand return from Draper next sees Van de Zandschulp 30-15 up but he allows his advantage to slip as the British star levels at 30-30. A smash from the Dutch player gives him break point and he takes it with a slick backhand. That was some great tennis.
Van de Zandschulp 2-4 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp perfectly places a ball in and then plays arguably the shot of the tournament. The Dutch player ran to the net to return a drop shot, made it but Draper also managed to return the ball and Van de Zandschulp hit a winner – absolutely stunning tennis. He hits a forehand winner and Draper hits the net to hold.
Van de Zandschulp* 1-4 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper delivers an ace to cancel out Van de Zandschulp’s first point in this game. The Brit runs across court and sends the ball in the opposite direction but there’s too much power on it to see the game 30-30. A great slice from the Dutch player and he has break point but Draper saves it with a volley to send it to deuce. A huge serve gives Draper advantage but he forces a ball so long it almost goes into the crowd and we’re back to deuce. Van de Zandschulp hits the net and Draper then holds.
Van de Zandschulp 1-3 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
A really well worked point as Van de Zandschulp has a forehand winner and he wins the next to get to a 30-0 lead. Remember, Draper won’t be under-estimating his opponent as he knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the tournament last time out. A shot out by Draper sees the Dutch player on the precipice of holding and he does!
Van de Zandschulp* 0-3 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper is looking really comfortable in this match so far, a double fault though let’s his opponent into the game but he cancels it out to get the edge at 30-15. The Dutch player had a powerful shot to level it again and the British star pushes a shot too long to gift Van de Zandschulp a break point. Draper saves it with a well placed shot and we’re at deuce. A really long rally ends with Draper leaving a shot but it lands in! Van de Zandschulp has another break point but we’re back to deuce as a shot goes wide. Draper wins advantage and holds.
Let’s head over to the Grandstand court now where Jack Draper is playing Botic van de Zandschulp. The Brit has just broken the Dutch star to lead 2-0 in the first set.
Machac beats Goffin in straight sets
Tomas Machac has knocked David Goffin out of the US Open in straight sets.
It was a great performance by the Czech player who wrapped it up 6-3, 6-1, 6-2.
Paolini wins in straight sets
Putintseva 3-6, 4-6 Paolini
Paolini has four points between her and the fourth round and she wins the first. Putintseva sends the ball out next, Paolini hit the net and so we are at 30-15 to the Italian. Putintseva sends the ball out and so Paolini has match point, can she take it on the first time of asking? Yes she can!
Jessica Pegula has taken the first set 6-3 against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
