TENNIS – American hopes took a major hit in the US Open third round yesterday as Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen mounted a tremendous comeback to beat Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova crashed out against Anastasia Potapova.
Zheng was down 5-0 in the deciding set but found her mettle to defeat the 2017 runner-up Keys 1-6 7-6(3) 7-5 on the Grandstand, collapsing on the court in utter joy as she fights back from a career slump.
The Olympic champion reached the quarter-finals for the second straight time only two years ago but was forced to go through qualifying this time around, as a chronic right elbow injury derailed her career progress.
“Finally one time a bit of luck is on my side,” said Zheng.
The 10th-seeded Anisimova, last year’s runner-up, was unable to reverse her fortunes in a frustrating year at the majors, with a 6-2 7-5 defeat to Potapova.
The Austrian earned her deepest run at the US Open as she saved 13 of the 16 break points she faced in a terrific defensive display by the 24th seed.
The US Open enters its round of 16 today, with defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz taking on American hopes Taylor Townsend and Tommy Paul respectively while Ben Shelton, the highest-ranked American in the men’s draw, faces a difficult test against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Sabalenka’s improved serve helped her to secure a comfortable third-round victory, as she landed 10 aces in a straight-sets win over Kamilla Rakhimova.
The four-time Grand Slam winner, who is aiming for a hat-trick of US Open titles, has yet to drop a set in the tournament, and was more affected by the smell of cannabis in the Louis Armstrong Stadium than her opponents.
&uuid=(email))