US Open: A review of Day 4's events

Centered Image
Dominic Stricker in action in Round two, Image Credits: US Open

Men's draw:

Carlos Alcaraz moved a step further in his first title defense by beating Lloyd Harris in Round Two of the US Open in straight sets 6-3 6-1 7-6 [4]. The match began on even footing with both players saving two break points on their own serve but it was Alcaraz who broke first and went into the lead in the fifth game. The Spaniard took the first set comfortably by breaking South African again in the 9th game.

The second set began on similar terms as Alcaraz was put under pressure as he had to defend two break points in the very first game. Once Alcaraz managed to defend his serve it was pretty much smooth sailing as he could break Harris in two consecutive games taking the second set 6-1. In the third, it was Harris who drew first blood as he broke Alcaraz in the sixth game taking a lead of 2-4. However, Alcaraz broke immediately in the next game and held on in the tie-breaker to move into the third round.

In stark contrast to Alcaraz’s match, Jannik Sinner had a comfortable outing on his serve against Lorenzo Sonego as he faced zero break points throughout the match. Sinner beat Sorenzo 6-4 6-2 6-4. Elsewhere, the world No. 16 Cameron Norrie beat Yu Hsiou Hsu in straight sets while Grigor Dimitrov dominated a one-sided encounter against the three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray. Dimitrov broke Murray seven times in total to Murray’s two as he clinched the match 6-3 6-4 6-1.

John Isner in his final US Open campaign lost a thriller in five sets against fellow American Michael Mmoh. Isner began the match well by taking the first two sets 6-3 6-4 but Mmoh came back well as he never lost his serve again in the final three sets. Isner at 5-5 in the third set had a match point too but couldn't convert it. Isner bid goodbye to tennis in front of his home crowd with the record for the most aces in the history of Tennis at 14459 aces.

Hubert Hurkacz has had a spectacular second half of 2023 as he challenged the big guns Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic multiple times during the hard-court season and was one of the dark horses leading into the US Open. However, Jack Draper put an end to Hurkacz’s run by beating him in straight sets 6-2 6-4 7-5. Hurkacz lost his very first service game in both sets 1 and 2 as he was put immediately under pressure by the Brit. Hurkacz failed to recover from the early setback in these sets but started well in the third set. Draper edged out the third set by breaking Hurkacz at 5-5 and then clinched the match comfortably on his serve.

Stanislas Wawrinka at 38 years of age beat 24-year-old Tomas Martin Etcheverry in four sets. Wawrinka sets up a mouth-watering clash against the in-form Jannik Sinner in Round Three. Arthur Fils bowed out of the US Open after fighting it out against Matteo Arnaldi in five sets while Matteo Berrettini had to retire from his match against Arthur Rinderknech due to an ankle injury. Rinderknech was leading the match with a set and with a break up in the second set at 5-3 as Berrettini fell chasing a point on his backhand side. Berrettini pulled out of the match immediately and it is to be seen how long will he have to be away from tennis due to the injury.

Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev beat Daniel Altmayer and Christoper O’Connell as they moved into the third round of the US Open. Both the players lost a set a piece and won their matches in four sets.

Women's draw:

On Day 4, on the women's half of the draw, surprisingly there were no major upsets. Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Marketa Vondrousova, Lindmila Samsonova, and Madison Keys had comfortable outings during their second round as they won their matches in straight sets.

Elena Svitolina had to fight back from a set down against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Svitolina and Pavlyuchenkova held their serve well during the opening few games of the first set until 5-5. At 5-5, Pavlyuchenkova serving had to save three break points and in the next game, Svitolina had to save three break points but couldn’t. Svitolina could save the first two break points but conceded the third and the set 7-5 in the process.

In the second set, both the players began well but it was Pavlyuchenkova who lost her serve twice in the fifth and the seventh game. Svitolina lost her service too in the sixth game but breaking in the seventh helped her to take the second set 6-4. The third set began with Svitolina winning four games in a row breaking Pavlyuchenkova twice. Though Pavlyuchenkova could break back once and bring the score to 5-4, it was too much of an ask to break for a second time. Svitolina converted the third match point at 5-4 winning the set 6-4.

Daria Kasatkina won her match in a similar fashion as Svitolina as she had to come back from a set down against Sofia Kenin. Kasatkina won the match 2-6 6-4 6-4. Ons Jabeur, the two-time Wimbledon finalist had a tough outing against Linda Noskova as she prevailed in three sets. Jabeur won the match 7-6[4] 4-6 6-3. Jabeur needed four match points to seal the match in the third set.

References

  1. Main Image Credits: US open Link: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/photos/index.html
  2. Thumbnail Image Credits: US Open Link: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/photos/index.html