That, then, is us done for here and now. Shelton leads Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4 2-2 and Kecmanovic leads Musetti 6-3 1-1, otherwise, peace out.
Andrey Rublev (6) beats Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 6-2
Once Rinderknech tired and Rublev got going, there was only one winner. He sealed victory with consecutive aces and will be delighted with how he controlled himself, first when behind then when it got close. Next for him, Jiri Lehecka (32).
It’s never straightforward with Rublev and we’re at 30-all … so he luzzes an ace down the T.
A seventh backhand winner of the match raises two points for a double break, Rinderknech swipes long, and another fantastic match looks almost over. Rublev gets down on himself but has so much moxie, and after four hours and two minutes, he’ll shortly serve for the match at 5-2 in the fifth. First, though, he’s getting a spot of treatment.
At 15-all, Rublev hammers down a service-winner. He’s been strong when he’s needed to be – though Rinderknech played over four hours beating Christopher Eubanks in round one – and secures his consolidation with a colossal forehand that opens the court for a winner. He leads 4-2 in the fifth.
Shelton conjures a gorgeous forehand pass cross-court, gestures a claw to the crowd, and leads Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4. He absolutely loves it. Meantime, on Stadium 17, Rublev raises three break points at 2-2 in the fifth… and takes the second. He’s three games away from completing a tremendous comeback, leading for the first time in the match.
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“Emma Raducanu is a fine young player,” says Mary Waltz. “But she seems, and this is definitely rank speculation, to think that her glorious US Open triumph sets her apart from the others. It is one thing for multiple grand slam winners to skip tourneys and focus on the slams. She needs to work the circuit and accept that she will lose more than she wins. For now. I think the pressure of being the great UK hope has kept her from getting better.”
I’m not sure. You never know what’s going on in someone’s life, but it’s also worth noting she won her major when they were going to all sorts and with Swiatek, Gauff and Sabalenka about, that’s happening a lot less often; I know Krejcikova won Wimbledon, but I’m not sure that happens without Saba’s injury. Or, in other words, my guess is that it won’t get that good for her again, whatever she does.
Jerry Shang beats Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 6-3 7-6(2)
Shang is swiftly becoming a reliable source of Grand Slam wins; he meets Ruud or Monfils next.
Ben Shelton, sponsored by Global Hypercolor.
Hold tight Arthur Rinderknech. He hangs on to lead Rublev 1-0 in the fifth while, on Grandstand, Shelton has broken in set two to lead Bautista Agut 6-3 5-3; Alexandrova and Jovic are playing a decider; while Comesana leads Humbert 2-1 4-2.
Down 0-30, Rinderknech takes a time violation then slams down an ace followed by a service-winner. We wind up at deuce going backwards and forwards,, the Frenchman doing all he can to keep in it, while Rublev looks the better and fresher player.
Serving for the fourth set at 5-2, Rublev saves two break points then nets a backhand when up advantage … before getting it done. Eyes down for a fifth set, after three hours 31 minutes of tennis.
Alexei Popyrin (28) beats Pedro Martínez 6-2 6-4 6-0
Next up for him, Djokovic (2) or Djere, and if it’s the former that could be very interesting.
Rublev looks good for a decider against Rinderknech, breaking again and he now leads 4-1. It feels like he’s in control now. Likewise Alexei Popyrin, continuing his good form – he made finals in Cinci and Canada – against Martinez, who he leads 6-2 6-4 4-0.
Sabalenka says seeing the young generation inspired by her keeps her going and is what it’s all about; she hopes the girls gets to her level. She also thanks the crowd, saying they’re safe from “this crazy weather”, but the roof is partially closed and she’s grateful to whoever decided to do that, though glad to get it done in two. Otherwise, she loves New York and walking about a beautiful city; it’s important to have joy in your life and she’s glad she and her team are able to put aside the pressure to have fun.
Aryna Sabalenka (2) beats Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 6-1
She is so, so good and finds a girl in the crowd dressed as her, tattoo included, and takes some photos. Next for her, Alexandrova (29) or Jovic; the latter currently leads 6-4 3-5.
RBA, are you serious!? pic.twitter.com/vhMCywgB6O
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2024
Marta Kostyuk (19) beats Harriet Dart 7-6(10) 6-1
Dart will wonder what might’ve happened had she taken one of five first-set set points, but ultimately Kostyuk was too good and moves on to face Navarro or Rus.
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Kostyuk holds and races to 7-6 5-1 0-40; she has three match points but Dart does well to save them. Elsewhere, Shelton leads Bautista Agut 6-3, Popyrin leads Martinez 6-2 6-4 1-0, and Humbert trails Comesana 7-5 4-6 3-5.
Rublev breaks Rinderknech immediately in set four, and class might be telling here too. Rinderknech is decent, but he’s not so decent he can play brilliantly for five sets, so if Rublev keeps his head and does what he usually does, he’s a good chance of winning from here.
Kostyuk is now a double-break up on Dart, leading 7-6 4-1, and playing much better than in the first srt.
Rinderknech and Rublev are back and ready to go again, the score 2-1 to the Frenchman.
Sabalenka breaks Bronzetti to lead 6-3 2-0 and this match looks almost over. She’s seeded to face Coco Gauff in the last four, and that’s pretty much the only potential match you can see her losing – though I guess there’s a possibility of Our Maddy in round four, which could be interesting.
Rinderknech allows a love game knowing he’s at least one more set to play in filthy heat, Rublev serving out for a 6-1 third set to trail 2-1, and the players disappear for a 1-minute break.
Dart nets a forehand, Kostyuk breaks for 7-6 2-1, and this match is disappearing quickly, class starting to tell.
Sabalenka serves out the first set against Bronzetti and looks ominous; I can’t see Swiatek beating her on this surface, but enough hypothesising because Rublev has broken Rinderknech and will shortly serve for the third set at 4-6 5-7 5-1.
All Aryna in set one. She takes it 6-3 over Bronzetti. pic.twitter.com/anwoZ85u0C
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2024
Dart might’ve lost an earring while Kostyuk might be crying – not because she’s worried about the jewellery, it’s just trying out there in the heat. She holds, though, to lead 7-6 1-1.
If Shelton beats Bautista Agut he meets Tiafoe next; that’d be a terrific match, no offence Roberto. Rublev holds for a 4-1 third-set lead and so far, is doing well to maintain his temper – at least as far as I’ve seen.
Righto, let’s go around the courts: Rublev leads Rinderknech 3-0 in the third but trails 2-0; Sabalenka leads Bronzetti 5-2; Shelton and Bautista Agut are 2-2; Popyrin leads Martinez 6-2 2-3 with a break; Jovic leads Alexandrvoa 6-4 1-1; Shang leads Carballes Baena 6-2 6-3 2-2; and Humbert leads Comesana 7-5 4-6 1-0.
Kostyuk does the decent thing, earning set point before unloading a monstrous forehand winner inside-out from the corner. She leads 7-6 and surely can’t play any worse in the second; Dart needs to forget that breaker quickly because in it, her first serve deserted her, and she wound up wasting five set points.
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Dart earns set point with some decent forehand thrashing, then cedes it going long after again failing to land a first serve. Someone, please: put this set out of its misery.
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Dart does well to reach for a return, Kostyuk overhits the swing volley … then Dart sends down a double to burn yet another set point. “It’s very stressful out there,” says our co-commentator – I’m not certain who it is but she’s right because when a Dart error hands Kostyuk a chance to seal the breaker, she too disburses a double.
Back on Court 6, Dart leads Kostyuk 5-3 in their first-set breaker and conjures a glorious backhand pass cross-court to raise three set points. And she gets close to taking the first, stepping in to whack a forehand only to wipe another wide when up in the rally. Gosh, then Kostyuk saves the second, pasting an inside-out backhand return past Dart for a clean winner … and a third when Dart nets at the end of a long exchange. We’re level at 6-6 6-6.
On Armstrong, Sabalenka and Bronzetti have just started, the number two seed up 2-1 on serve, while on Grandstand, so too have Shelton and Bautista Agut, the American leading 1-0. Elsewhere, Popyrin leads Martinez 6-2 0-1 with a break, Jovic is up 6-4 on Alexandrova, and Shang is dominating Carballes Baena, 6-2 6-3 in front.
Given the heat, the umpire allows the players to go and change for a second time.
Rinderknech, who’s never beaten a top-10 player, makes 30-0, Rublev hitting the backcloth in remonstration; a mahoosive forehand down the line raises three break points … AND rinderknech only needs one! He claims an 83-minute set to lead 6-4 7-5!
The problem Dart has is that she lacks major weapons, so has nothing to rely when under pressure. And after Kostyuk makes advantage, she hooks a forehand wide, and we’ll now enjoy a first-set breaker.
Meantime Dart is serving for the set leading Kostyuk 6-5, but she’s down 0-30….
Thanks Will and hi again. Rinderknech has break point on the Rublev serve, leading 6-4 5-5 … and he takes it! Rublev, who’s only winning a third of points on second serve, sends down another nondescript delivery, the Frenchman climbs into it, and after only recently serving to stay in the set, he’ll now serve for it!
Right, time to hand you back to Daniel Harris. Enjoy the rest of the action.
Wang Yafan beats Diane Parry 6-0, 6-4
It’s a fairly straightforward win for Wang on Court 10. Parry fought hard in the final game, taking it to deuce and threatening to break, but Wang held her nerve to see out the match.
Dart finds herself serving for the first set, but wobbles at the crucial moment. Kostyuk powers back at her, levelling the set at 5-5.
Rinderknech saves two set points against Rublev, eventually holding serve to make it 6-4, 5-5. It’s turning into quite the match, this.
Rublev has broken back against Rinderknech and now leads 5-4 in the second set. Can his opponent wrest back momentum on serve?
Qinwen Zheng beats Erika Andreeva 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-2
She’s done it again! In much the same manner as her three-set win against Anisimova, Zheng has shaken off the loss of the first set to triumph. She rattles to three match points in the final game almost unopposed, sealing victory at the first time of asking with an ace.
On Court 5, Dart is a break up against Kostyuk in the first set. A strong start.
Zheng has a double break against Andreeva! She’ll now serve for the match.
Alexander Zverev beats Alexandre Müller 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1
It was a futile act of defiance from Müller. Zverev wins his second match point with a rocketing ace, sealing his place in the third round.
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Zverev has broken Müller again, racing to triple match point. Müller saves the first with an excellent return …
On Court 17, Arthur Rinderknech has just lashed a forehand winner to break Andrey Rublev in the second set. The Frenchman is now 6-4, 4-3 up on serve.
Tumaini Carayol was in attendance for Emma Raducanu’s disappointing defeat to Sofia Kenin earlier. Here’s his take on the match.
Zverev breaks Müller and their match appears to be going one way, and one way only. The German is closing on the third round.
Qinwen Zheng, who fought back so valiantly in the first round to beat Amanda Anisimova, now has a break in the third set against Erika Andreeva having again lost the first.
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Alexander Zverev won his second-set tiebreak against Alexandre Müller 7-5, with the German on serve at 1-1 in the third. He’s well in charge now.
Frances Tiafoe progresses as Alexander Shevchenko retires
It’s a walkover for the home favourite Frances Tiafoe, with Alexander Shevchenko unable to continue. Tiafoe was 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 up when his opponent called time.
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Tomás Martín Etcheverry beats Francisco Cerundolo 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
It was a seesawing contest on Court 12, but Tomás Martín Etcheverry has emerged triumphant against his Argentine compatriot Francisco Cerundolo in another five-setter.
Harriet Dart is up next on Court 5, with the British contender taking on Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.
Brandon Nakashima beats Arthur Cazaux 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
It’s all over on Court 11, where the home hopeful Brandon Nakashima has breezed through to the third round with a straight-sets win against his French opponent.
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Lehecka beats Krueger 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
Having been two sets down to his American opponent, Lehecka pulls off an epic victory. He screams with relief as he wins match point, then blows kisses to the crowd.
*Lehecka 6-7 (5), 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-5 Krueger (denotes server) Lehecka starts with an opening ace, then wins a big rally to make it 30-0. Krueger fights back with a killer volley to pull it back to 30-15. Lehecka passes him from deep behind the baseline with a chunky forehand. He now has two match points …
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Hello! So, what’s going on? Jiri Lehecka has just earned a crucial break against Mitchell Krueger in the fifth set of their ding-dong on Court 5. He’ll now serve for the match.
Righto, I’m off for a break; Will Magee is here to chill with you through the next hour, including a likely Muller-Zverev tiebreak, the latter taking advantage as I speak with an ace…
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Muller holds for 4-6 6-5, and Zverev must now serve to stay in set two; Zheng, meantime, has won set two 6-1 against Andreeva to set up a decider and Tiafoe has broken Shevchenko to lead 6-4 4-1.
I might actually move from Shevchenko v Tiafoe because Rinderknech has taken the first set off Rublev 6-4 and I very much doubt the number six seed is taking it well. And when I look in, I see that Rinderknech has sloped off for a rest, leaving Rublev mooching about in the sun, looking pale.
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After Krueger v Lehecka, Harriet Dart takes to the court, but that might be a while yet – it’s 4-4 on serve in the decider, the match up to three hours 39 minutes. “Pathetic,” sighs Dan Evans from his hotel room.
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Shevchenko has to plough through deuce for the hold that gives him 4-6 1-1, but he gets there in the end, while Muller and Zverev are locked at 4-4 in set two. As I said, though, you feel like you know how this’ll eventually shake down, later if not sooner.
Zheng has responded well to going a set down to Andreeva, up 4-1 in the second; Rublev has broken rinderknech back for 4-4; Krueger and Lehecka are 3-3 in the fifth; Nakashima leads Cazaux 6-4 6-4 1-1; Cerundolo and Etcheverry are 1-1 in the fifth; and, as I type, Muller hangs on to his serve through deuce, trailing Zverev 4-6 4-3.
Shevchenko has a quite peculiar headband, and almost as bad, he gets himself broken serving at 4-5; Tiafoe takes set one and doesn’t look impregnable, but it’ll take a better performance to beat him than the one he’s facing.
Also going on:
We’re on serve in our two feature matches, Tiafoe up 4-3 on Shevchenko and Zverev leading Muller 6-4 2-2. On Stadium 17, Rinderknech still has his break, 4-3 in front against Rublev, while Cerundolo and Etcheverry will soon commence a decider,
On 12, Cerundolo leads Etcheverry 4-1 in the fourth; if he closes out, he too forces a fifth.
Shevchenko is indeed decent from the back punishing a backhand winner down the line to secure the break-back! He now trails Tiafoe 2-3, while Lehecka serves out for a 6-4 fourth set; he and Krueger will now play a fifth, momentum with the Czech. Oh, and Andreeva took her breaker against Zheng to lead 7-6(3).
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Nothing whatsoever to do with tennis, except it’s brilliant and that’s enough.
On Grandstand, Qinwen Zheng (7), the Wimbledon champ, has held to force a first-set breaker against Erika Andreeva, older sister of Mirra; Rinderknech, who has the game to wind up Rublev, leads him 2-1 with a break; Zverev takes the first set against Muller 6-4; and Lehecka is a hold away from forcing a decider against Krueger.
Zverev is so good at winning the matches he should. I remember when Andy Murray was going from pretender to champion, and as part of that process, he stopped losing to, say, Feliciano Lopez, if someone of that ilk happened to have a good day against him. Zverev is there now, finding ways to lose against the best only, but will he take the final step?
Zverev breaks Muller for 5-4 while Tiafoe does likewise to Shevchenko for 2-0; Lehecka trails Krueger 2-1 but is up a break in the fourth; Nakashima leads Cazaux 6-4 2-1 with a break; and Griekspoor leads Baez 6-1 2-0.
‘He’s a very talented lad but also miserable,” returns Coach Calv on Shevchenko. “Very talented from the back. “I actually watched him play Tiafoe in a practice set last week in Cinci and he absolutely destroyed him, 6-0, But then Francis had a great week, making the final. Not sure how Sheva will cope with the occasion.”
Tiafoe, resplendent in lilac vest and short-shorts, has to fight hard for his first-game hold but he gets there in the end. Shevchenko, though, has come to play and of all the seeds, he’s facing one who isn’t that reliable.
“He’s classic French,” says Coach Calv of Muller. “Great hands, shot-maker, can be very flakey. No massive weapons, no weaknesses, outrageously good-looking.”
I’d like a business card with “shot-maker” on it. Or “outrageously good-looking”, I’m not picky or precious.
Zverev misses a chance for a double break then gets broken, meaning he and Muller are now 3-3 in the first; on Stadium 17, Rublev (6) and Rinderknech will soon get going, while Tiafoe is serving in game one on Ashe against Shevchenko.
Grigor Dimitrov (9) beats Rinky Hijikata 6-1 6-1 7-6(4)
A terrific performance from Our Griggzy, and he meets Baez (21) or Griekspoor next.
Next on Ashe: Alexander Shevchenko v Francis Tiafoe (20).
Lehecka did indeed take the third set so now trails Krueger 2-1; Nakashima v Cazaux, a match I’d totally be watching were i abke to enjoy my usual four screens, are 3-3 in the first; Etcheverry is up 5-3 on Cerundolo, the first two sets having been shared; Griekspoor leads Baez 5-0; and Niemeier beat Uchijima 6-4 6-0.
Zverev lays down the smack early doors, breaking Muller for 2-0 in the first. And the question for him is the same as it always is: can he finally do enough to win a Slam? He’s seeded to meet Djokovic in the semis with Alcaraz due to face Sinner, and my sense is he’d prefer to avoid the Serb, but ultimately you have to neat everyone to be the champ and the question is more about whether his forehand can hold up under pressure rather than how his game matches up with the rest of the elite.
Keys is really pleased, saying Joint played really well and took a whole to get “used to her ball”. In sport you have to get used to things not going to plan – the injury that saw her depart Wimbledon in tears means she’s barely played since – but also means she’s fresh. She’s changed a lot recently, experimenting with different strings and such, but asked about her private life, she laughs that planning a wedding, renovating a house and travelling the world, all three with her coach-fiance, is not all that easy. Goodness me!
Madison Keys (14) beats Maya Joint 6-4 6-0
A routine win for Keys, who improved through the match and faces Mertens (33) next.
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Zverev and Muller are away and this is the match we’re being shown; I’ve got Keys v Joint on my other screen, keys up match point at 6-4 5-0 40-30.
Hmmm. Lehecka down two sets to Krueger, breaks for 5-4 in the third and will shortly serve for the third set. If he gets on a roll, he’ll be difficult to stop.
Keys breaks again then consolidates to lead Joint 6-4 4-0; she’ll soon be back in the locker room. Meantime on telly, they’re discussing 1987, when Martina won the women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles – she played the first tow finals on the Saturday then three matches – last eight, last four and final of the mixed – on the Sunday. What a human being.
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Next on Armstrong: Alexandre Müller v Alexander Zverev (4).
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Back on Ashe, Keys now leads joint 6-4 2-0, and let’s do a full roundup while we’re at it: Dimitrov leads Hijikata 6-1 6-1 5-4 on serve; Krueger leads Lehecka 7-6 6-0 4-3 on serve; and Cerundolo leads Etcheverry 3-6 6-4 1-0 on serve;
“Oh my God, I have no words,” says Ruse, who doesn’t know how she managed to beat the Wimbledon champ. She says her partner is her lucky charm – he’s there today – and thanks her coach following some tough months during which she was injured. This is the best Grand Slam run of her career and she doesn’t care who’s up next, she’s just going to enjoy. New York is her favourite city and she wants to enjoy every moment she has there.
Elena-Gabriela Ruse beats Barbora Krejcikova (8) 6-4 7-5
A fantastic win for Ruse, who hit it hard, especially to Krejcikova’s forehand, and stayed calm when under pressure, breaking once to save the set then again to clinch the match. That is the biggest win of her career, seeing off the Wimbledon champ, and next for her is Paula Badosa.
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Badosa is really happy, making round three for the first time; she says it doesn’t sound like much but she was thinking about it on match point, also noting that she was born in New York City so winning here means a little extra. Oh and she confirms that she’ll be playing mixed doubles with Stefanos Tsitsipas, her boyfriend, saying he’s a champion and will always be a champion, though he lost yesterday.
Talking of whom, Ruse smokes a backhand return for 0-15, breaks back to 15, holds, and now Krejcikova must serve to stay in the match.
Paula Badosa (26) beats Taylor Townsend 6-3 7-5
It’s so good to see Badosa back and hitting it so hard – she’s had so much ill luck with injuries. Townsend had a little purple patch in the middle of set two but there was never really any doubt who would win and Badosa moves on to face either Krejcikova or Ruse.
Badosa races to 0-40 and has three match points; can Townsend save herself?
Elise Mertens (33) beats Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3 6-2
She faces Keys or Joint next, Keys up 6-4.
Might Townsend have missed her chance? Badosa holds, forcing her to serve to stay in the match at 3-6 5-6, while Krejcikova will, as soon as we’ve heard 90 seconds of Don’t stop Till You Get Enough, serve to take her match with Ruse to a decider.
Krejcikova sees out a marathon hold for 5-3 in set two, then Badosa rushes through a break-back, levelling set two against a disappointed Townsend at 5-5.
Longtime readers will know that Maddy Keys is a favourite of this blog thanks to the fragile power that allows her to blow anyone away or lose to anyone. She has, though, been a little more consistent lately, and leads joint 4-3 with a break; Krejcikova is serving down 4-6 4-3 to Ruse; Dimitrov leads Hijikata 6-1 6-1 2-1; Krueger leads Lehecka 7-6 6-0; Niemeier leads Uchijima 6-4 4-0; Etcheverry leads Cerundolo 6-3 4-4, his second-set break retrieved; and Mertens is serving for the match leading Tomljanovic 6-3 5-2.
Badosa punishes a fine forehand down the line but as she comes in, Townsend powers a forehand on to her tootsies and punches the air when the riposte is netted. From there, she closes out, and at 3-5 the Spaniard will now serve to stay in the second set.
Krejcikova is just so tough, and she breaks Ruse to trail 4-6 4-3, while Badosa punishes a forehand to earn deuce as Townsend attempts to consolidate. Then, caught at the net, a backhand is walloped at her and she can’t control her volley, so faces break-back point at 3-6 4-3…
Oh, Taylor; oh maaaate! An overhead takes her to 15-30 on the Badosa serve but then, after a murderous backhand, she sticks another into the net. No matter: she’s reading the second serves now and a forehand winner raises break point and a backhand winner secures it! Townsend is into this and the crowd respond to her! Badosa leads 6-3 3-4!
Niemeier takes the first set against Uchijima 6-4 while Dimitrov takes the second to lead Hijikata 6-1 6-1. Oh, and have a look: Kruger has broken Lehecka immediately in set two to lead 7-6 2-0, while we’re away on Ashe – without coverage on a normal Sky channel – Keys and Joint level at 1-1. Meantime on Armstrong, Badosa leads Townsend 6-3 2-3 on serve, but isn’t playing quite as well, and Ruse leads Krejcikova 6-4 2-2.
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Etcheverry did lead Cerundolo by a set and a break, but before I can even bring you the news, it’s retrieved, the score now 6-3 2-2; otherwise, Mertens leads Tomljanovic 6-3 1-0 with a break and we’re on serve elsewhere.
Krueger nets a backhand, then Lehecka’s forehand takes care of the next point. But a fine return, lofted a little, gives the Czech too much to do, and Krueger leads 7-6(5)!
Townsend makes Badosa work for her first hold of set two and won’t be happy she spurned the chance of a game containing two doubles, but now trails 3-6 0-1. Meantime, Krueger is 5-2 up on Lehecka, one mini-break to the good … and the Czech number 32 seed sends down a double! He follows it with an ace, but remains three set-points down…
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In a few minutes, Madison Keys and Maya joint will get going on Ashe; hopefully that encourages sky to stick a different match on Main Event to Tennis.
Ruse takes a a nice, long break after set one – as you might – so Krejcikova takes some advice off her coach. I’m going to leave that match for a second, but, to watch the first-set breaker between Mitchell Krueger and Jiri Lehecka.
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I should say, it’s extremely hot today and, particularly during the day sesh, that’s going to impact the matches we see and who wis them.
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Now then! Krejcikova is not wise to Ruse’s ruse! She breaks the Wimbledon champ for a third time and this time takes the first set 6-4! Elsewhere, Dimitrov is now up a set and a break, leading Hijikata 6-1 2-0, and Uchijima and Niemeier are back on serve at 3-4 in the first.
Krejcikova is such a competitor and she won’t let Ruse make off with the first set, earning advantage and thrashing away with forehands until there’s an overhead to put away; she now trials 4-5. Meantime, on Armstrong, Badosa holds easily enough to secure a 6-3 first set.
Dimitrov secures a 6-1 first set against Hijikata, while Niemeier leads Uchijima 4-2 and Etcheverry is up 6-3 on Cerundolo; our other singles matches are on serve.
Badosa is girls with Aryna Sabalenka, and I’m not sure if they bonded over administering GBH to tennis balls, but it’s certainly something they’ve got in common. And she’s swinging so freely here I’m intrigued to check out her draw, learning that if she wins, the seeding says next is Krejcikova – who’s just saved a set point and forced Ruse to serve for a 1-0 lead.
I’ve moved to Krejcikova 2-5 Ruse, immediately learning that the Romanian has kept her more august opponent moving, hence her lead. And as I do, on Armstrong, Badosa breaks Townsend again and leads 5-2, in pretty decent control of things.
Badosa holds again for 4-2 while, elsewhere, Ruse leads Krejcikova 4-2 and I guess I may soon move to that match from Dimitrov 5-0 Hijikata; Lehecka leads Krueger 3-2; Uchijima and Niemeier are level at 2-2; and Cerundolo and Etcheverry are 3-3, likewise Tomljanovic and Mertens;
A lovely drop earns Dimitrov a point for a double break and he takes it with a forehand on to the toes to which Hijikata can’t respond. That makes it 4-0 Griggzy, but on the other hand, he’s a 33-year-old man with short hair wearing a baseball cap on backwards, so swings and roundabouts. No doubt he also sits on chairs the wrong way around too.
Badosa has to fight through deuce for her consolidation but she gets there, two big serves helping her do the necessary. She looks very confident, sitting down on her shots and looking for winners. She leads 3-1.
On Grandstand, Ruse and Krejcikova have exchanged breaks at 1-1, while Dimitrov breaks Hijikata at the first time of asking for a 2-0 lead. There’s a real calmness about how he conducts himself in rallies, but I just can’t see a way he beats one of the top three over five.
Updated
Already, Townsend is giving Badosa something different to what she usually gets, loopy lefty forehands at varying pace. But at 1-1 0-15, Badosa misses an overhead with almost the whole court at which to aim … then makes amends by drilling a forehand winner, and when Townsend nets a forehand, there are two break points on the agenda. And Badosa only needs one, dominating the rally with some sizeable groundstrokes and responding to another loopy one by upping the pace of her own shot; her opponent can’t respind and the Spaniard leads 2-1.
He’s a funny one, Dimitrov; if he’d been the competitor and player he is now a decade ago, he might’ve found his way to a major final. But for whatever reason it took him a while to assimilate his talent into his being, such that he’snow a regular in the second week of Slams, but never with a serious chance of bagging one. He leads Hijikata 1-0.
I’ve not a clue why, but Sky are showing the same match on Main Event as they are on Tennis. Hopefully that changes – I’ve got both on in the hope – but until that happens, I can only watch two matches, so as my second I’ll go for Hijikata v Dimitrov (9).
Townsend, though, is one of few serve-volleyers on tour, and that alone makes her tricky to play. If she’s at it today, expect her to be a problem.
On Armstrong, Badosa and Townsend are knocking up. The former is in good nick having won in Washington and made the semis in Cincy, but she’s more than capable of losing matches she shouldn’t – never mind when still not properly settled after a back injury.
The way the telly works, we’ll have to be satisfied with whatever is showing on the two Sky channels, then I’ll pick the best of the rest.
So which matches to watch?
First things first: my colleague Luke McLaughlin alerts me to this piece of joy from the official US Open account.
This is cinema. pic.twitter.com/gU3anzQtdM
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2024
Preamble
Hey there Dudes and welcome to the US Open 2024 – day three!
And again, there’s so much ridiculous tennis it’s hard to know where to begin. We’ve got Madison Keys and Francis Tiafoe on Ashe while, on Armstrong, it’s Paula Badosa – her match against Taylor Townsend could be a goodun – followed by Alexander Zverev, yet again seeking a first Grand Slam title, and Aryna Sabalenka, this blog’s favourite for the women’s crown.
But as we reminded ourselves yesterday, at this stage of a tournament the best matches are likely to come away from the two main show courts, and we’ve got quite the selection. We’ll see Barbora Krejcikova, the Wimbledon champ; Ben Shelton v Roberto Bautista Agut; Casper Ruud v Gael Monfils; and Elina Svitolina v Anhelina Kalinina.
Is that it? Nope! There’s also Griggzy Dimitrov, Lorenzo Musetti, Andrey Rublev, Daria Kasatkina and the surging Alexei Popyrin; Harriet Dart v Marta Kostyuk, a potential belter between Brandon Nakashima and Arthur Cazaux, a Facundo Cerundolo v Tomas Etcheverry Argentinian derby and Donna Vekic v Geet Minnen. Awesome!
Play: 11am local, 4pm BST
