TENNIS – Alexander Zverev kept his bid for a second Grand Slam title alive with a straightforward win over Alejandro Tabilo, while Coco Gauff stayed strong to reach the fourth round of the US Open as several of her fellow Americans crashed out on Saturday.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka subdued American Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals without dropping a set.
The world number one had endured a frustrating build-up to the year’s final major but has hit her stride at Flushing Meadows and she slammed her foot on the gas in the second set against the home-crowd favourite, sealing victory with a backhand winner.
She will next play either Ukrainian 11th seed Marta Kostyuk or the Czech Republic’s Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova. Naomi Osaka overcame a mental and physical battle to outlast Belgium’s Elise Mertens in a three-setter on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Two of the brightest young prospects in the women’s draw, and close friends off it, put on a show as American Iva Jovic edged Filipina Alexandra Eala in a thrilling clash on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After back-to-back five-setters, top seed Zverev finally enjoyed a quieter night as he overcame a small mid-match dip to see off Chile’s Tabilo 6-2 7-6(2) 6-2.
“I think today was definitely much better than the last couple of days. I think I improved a lot from the baseline,” Zverev said. “I wasn’t happy with the second set. I think especially the end of the second set I lost focus a little bit. I was not moving as well. I was not playing as well. But I think the first and third sets are a big improvement to the other days. I’ll try to focus on that.”
Japanese 13th seed Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, worked through a challenge after letting slip a one-set and break advantage before managing an Achilles niggle to beat Mertens 6-3 3-6 7-5. The match was as much a test of Osaka’s composure as her tennis, with the 28-year-old showing visible frustration before regaining control in the decider.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down, like I was very negative on myself, so I’m really sorry about my behavior,” an emotional Osaka said.
Jovic, 18, and Eala, 21, traded momentum throughout a contest that lasted more than three hours before the American prevailed 7-5 3-6 7-5.
Jovic, the 14th seed, will next face compatriot and fan favourite Gauff, who had earlier beat Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-3 6-4.
&uuid=(email))