TENNIS – Zheng Qinwen mounted another extraordinary fight back to upset six-times major winner Iga Swiatek and reach the US Open quarter-finals yesterday, as Russian fifth seed Mirra Andreeva extended her deepest run in New York.
Two-times winner Naomi Osaka faces the biggest challenge of her tournament later in the programme against second seed Elena Rybakina while the 2023 champion Coco Gauff plays Iva Jovic in an all-American clash.
Zheng has become Flushing Meadows’ most entertaining escape artist this year, coming back from a 0-5 deficit in the deciding set against third-round foe Madison Keys.
She let the first five games slip through her fingers in 20 minutes against the 2022 champion Swiatek before digging in, and she collapsed to the court with her hands in her face after sealing the win on the fourth match point.
China’s Olympic champion is the first qualifier since Emma Raducanu in 2021 to reach the quarter-finals of the women’s draw, as she battles back from a chronic elbow injury that had stunted her career.
Andreeva’s entertaining match against Anastasia Potapova ended on a down note as the Austrian went down injured in the final game.
Potapova valiantly retook the court but could not hold off the inevitable as Andreeva sealed the 5-7 6-4 6-3 win with a backhand strike before going across the net to hug her opponent.
Earlier, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz brought the firepower to take his place in the quarter-finals while Aryna Sabalenka and Linda Noskova advanced on Sunday to set up a mouth-watering showdown between two big-hitting Grand Slam winners.
There were high expectations from American fans with seven home favourites scheduled to play across both singles draws, but day session defeats for Tommy Paul and Taylor Townsend dampened spirits slightly in the day session.
But Frances Tiafoe dismantled 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev and fellow American Alex Michelsen beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry to keep the stars and stripes flying high, before Ben Shelton, Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro sparkled in the evening.
Back to his irresistible best in his comeback tournament after nearly five months out with a wrist injury, second seed Alcaraz unleashed some stunning winners to thump Paul 6-4 6-3 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I’m really happy to see where my level is right now,” Alcaraz told reporters. “Beating Tommy is always great feedback to see where you are, and I’m just really happy with everything I’ve done today.”
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