Time to sign off. Catch up with our coverage of Monday’s action here:
“I played unbelievable tennis but something special happened today,” Tiafoe tells James Blake. “He’s one of the greatest players of all time! I’ve had problems before, I didn’t have the maturity in these big matches. I’m feeling in a better place now.”
“I’m not thinking about my next match now,” he adds (it’s against Rublev, btw). “Today’s an unbelievable day.” He was overcome with emotion after match point, having played with incredible composure to see that match out.
Updated
Frances Tiafoe beats Rafa Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3!
While everyone is wondering how Tiafoe will handle serving for the match, the American has other ideas. He pounces on Nadal errors to surge 0-40 up, and while he misses on his first match point, Rafa nets on the next. It’s all over!
Updated
Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server) This has been terrific from Tiafoe, playing fearlessly and (almost) flawlessly – but a slightly nervous backhand into the net gives Rafa hope at 40-30. He snatches at a volley, but fires down an unstoppable ace at deuce. Nadal bosses the next point, but Tiafoe cranks up the serve speed to move one game away.
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 Nadal (*denotes next server) Another break point chance for Tiafoe, who has won the last three games since being broken for 3-1 while the roof was closed. Nadal is throwing everything at his opponent but he sends everything back, and a weary Nadal eventually nets! Well, now.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server) A couple of shaky moments for Tiafoe, but he finds an ace when it matters and consolidates the break. His coach, Wayne Ferreira, looks on approvingly – the pair have worked hard on making Tiafoe tougher to beat in these big matches.
Updated
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 2-3 Nadal (*denotes next server) Nadal keeps fighting, but he isn’t performing at 100% – and two double faults here show the extent of his discomfort. Tiafoe gets a break-back opportunity, and buries a winner. We’re back on serve!
Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server) Tiafoe is unhappy with the situation – he tells the umpire that the noise is affecting him. It closes mid-game, but not before Tiafoe presents two breaks points to Nadal with a wafted missed volley. Nadal takes the second one, punishing some undercooked shots with a cross-court winner!
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-2 Nadal (*denotes next server) Nadal holds, and the decision is taken to close the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Somewhat surprisingly, they will play on with the wheels in motion.
Updated
Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server) Some textbook baseline-trimming play by Nadal keeps Tiafoe on his toes, but the first serve gets the American out of trouble. He’s not been especially accurate, but when they land in, they’re not coming back.
Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 Nadal (*denotes next server) Tiafoe edges ahead at 15-30 but Nadal prevails in a staggering rally before holding his arms aloft. He won’t go quietly, but Tiafoe is straight back into it to pick up a break point. A big second serve saves Nadal, and he finds an ace and another unreturnable first serve to hang on.
Nadal is off court again for treatment, so there’ll be a short delay before the fourth set. Tiafoe looks to be in control of this match, but this is Rafael Nadal we’re talking about.
While we wait, here’s Tumaini Carayol on Jessica Pegula, somehow making an under-the-radar run despite being the USA’s top-ranked female player.
Frances Tiafoe wins the third set, leads 2-1! Thanks, Daniel. Nadal holds serve comfortably enough – now, can he put pressure on Tiafoe? He gets the first point but Tiafoe will not be denied, moving freely on his way to two set points. And an ace out wide gets it done.
Updated
Righto, that is me for tonight. But fear not! Niall McVeigh is here to guide you through what’s next. Ta-ra!
Nadal gets 0-15, so down comes a 132mph ace, right into the corner. Ooh yeah, and another! Still, when Tiafoe finds himself at 40-30 and second serve, there’s a bit of pressure … so he comes in behind it, forcing Nadal to go for something wild rather than get the ball back into play, and he’s now a game away from the third set at 6-4 4-6 5-3!
Updated
On Armstrong, Azarenka and Pliskova are away.
Apparently it’s going to rain in the next hour; I imagine that, given how wet they let Ashe get earlier this afternoon, they’ll be more proactive in shutting the roof quicksmart. But hello! Tiafoe gets 30-40 and his second break point of the match! AND HE TAKES IT, spanking a glorious backhand down the line, one of those he knew he was going to nail before he got there so he ran through it and straight back to his seat! He is buzzing! Tiafoe 6-4 4-6 4-3 Nadal
Leading 3-2, Nadal hits a fine, deep return that gets him 0-15 and Martina tells us that while her mum watched her play, she wore sunglasses so no one could see her eyes were closed – she couldn’t take looking. Ah, I love that – I’ve not a clue how parents of sportsfolk hold it down, I know I couldn’t. Anyhow, Tiafoe holds to that 15, sealing the deal with a ludicrous ace timed at 138mph. “Come on Francis, hit it!” says Martina. “I wanna see 140, stop babying it!” We’re 3-3 in the third.
Back on Ashe, we’re dead level at 6-4 4-6 2-2, both men serving like demons. You’ve got to fancy Nadal, obviously, but Tiafoe is properly in this – but can he stay so when it gets tight?
Updated
Swiatek is happy to have won and is grateful for the vocal support she gets from any Poles knocking around wherever she happens to be playing. The main thing for her is the result but she’s trying to focus on the process and she’s happy to make the last eight, the furthest she’s ever gone at Flushing Meadows. She was wearing headphoine when she came out, so asked what she’s listening to, tells us it’s Pearl Jam and Led Zep – she’s bored of them, but the year’s gone so well she doesn’t feel able to change things up.
Iga Swiatek [1] beats Jule Niemeier 2-6 6-4 6-0!
That’s her 19th love set of the year! Rrrridiculous. She didn’t play well today, but she found a way and meets Pegula next. That’s a different challenge, but I’m sure she’ll raise it again, while Niemeier has loads on which to build – this was her first US Open and she’s only 23.
Updated
Niemeier misses three break points and finds herself down 0-5 in the third. She’s going to be a force, though, I think – and will be all the better for this tousing, though I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way at the moment.
Yeah, and it’s flipped on Ashe too, Nadal raising his first break points of the match that are also set points; Tiafoe serves a double and we’re now level at 6-4 4-6. It’s typical Nadal really, apparently on the verge of physical collapse, but in fact nowhere near.
Oh Jule! I’m afraid to say that she’s gone: Swiatek isn’t playing that well, but she’s just secured the double break, to love, for 4-0 in the decider. In comms they reckon Niemeier has played the opponent not the ball, but i wonder if she might just be knackered – it’s crazy hot out there, and i doubt the pressure is especially chilling.
At 4-4 in set two, Nadal tosses low and tired, sends down a double, and hands Tiafoe a go at deuce; Tiafoe is there for it too, only to go early on an easy ball and push into the net. Anguish! Naturally, Nadal finds a great forehand next point and now leads 5-4 in the second, while Swiatek has consolidated her break to lead Niemeier, struggling with her second serve, 3-0 in the third.
Updated
Facing two break points, Niemeier saves the first with a terrific serve out wide backed up by a clean-up wrongfooting forehand into the same corner, then another booming forehand encourages Swiatek to go long in response. But Swiatek keeps at it, eventually securing the break, and Niemier needs to reset, fast; she trails 0-2 in the decider.
Calvin Betton, our relevant coach, messages again on Tiafoe: “Tiafoe is just too nice a kid to be one of the elite. He’s not a killer.”
However, Nadal just isn’t moving as he usually does, and is getting out-hit from the back. I quite fancy him to bring this one home – though Nadal has just held to love ands has dropped only two points on serve this set.
Eesh, Niemeier gives up another break, the seventh we’ve seen in eight games, and this time it costs her the set because she’s run out of break-back opportunities. Swiatek 2-6 6-4 Niemeier
Nadal is serving well now, but the problem for him is that Tiafoe is too; what’s surprising, though, is that he’s not changed anything, still struggling to make capital on when facing a second delivery. So in comms, they’re wondering if his body is limiting what he can do – “It doesn’t make sense for someone of his stature to be doing what’s not working,” says Martina. Anyroad, it’s 2-2 in the second, Tiafoe having taken the first 6-4.
Updated
Goodness me, Niemeier gets herself 30-40 … and Swiatek double faults to hand back the break! She has some stern words with herself at change of ends, but she’s struggling and she knows it, trailing 2-6 5-4.
A terrific forehand to the forehand corner is too good even for Niemeier, and Swiatek roars her pleasure in her break. She is pumped, and at 5-3 will serve for 1-1.
Thanks Tom. Nadal has held in the first game of set two, while Niemeier is serving at 6-2 3-4 40-40; Swiatek yelps in fury at allowing her to deuce with yet another netted groundstroke.
Nadal is back on court after that medical timeout. He was off court for nearly 10 minutes, so we’ll see how that affects Tiafoe’s momentum after takin the first set. And on that bombshell, I’ll hand back to Daniel.
Business back to usual with Iga Swiatek after breaking Niemeier twice in the second to go 4-2 up. Her radar is still off though, and her 27th unforced error of the day makes it 15-40 and gives Niemeier a chance to get the set back on serve. Which she does at the first attempt, with a rifled backhand.
Nadal is getting his wrist taped and treated after losing that first set.
Tiafoe serves for the set against Nadal. If he’s nervous, he doesn’t show it outwardly and he’s soon 40-0 up. Well, maybe there are a few nerves: he double faults to make it 40-15. Then a brilliant backhand return from Nadal scorches across court for 40-30. The next point is perfect for the American though, as he moves Nadal back and forth before clinching the set with a volley. Tiafoe leads Nadal 6-4 after the first set.
It’s worth remembering that Rafa also lost the first set in two of his first three matches here. But Tiafoe is a far superior player to Fabio Fognini and Rinky Hijikata.
Swiatek has broken back against Niemeier, so we’re back on serve in the second set.
Updated
That last game was the first time Tiafoe had broken Nadal in their three matches together. He’s 0-30 down early on in the next game as he aims to consolidate the break but battles back to 40-30 with a beautiful whipped forehand. Nadal replies with a backhand winner and we’re at deuce. At advantage, Tiaefoe lets a shot go past him but it lands in. He does eventually hold for 5-3.
Meanwhile, Niemeier has broken Swiatek and just needs to hold serve for the rest of the second set to send the No 1 seed out!
Niemeier continues to make it tough for Swiatek. The No 1 seed serves to open the second set after losing the first and is taken to deuce by her opponent before holding. Meanwhile, a few wobbles for Nadal who is 0-30 down to Tiafoe after an unforced error – he already has eight so far early-ish in the first set. The American has a good chance to make it 0-40 but sends his shot wide. There’s a brief pause as world-class sweater Nadal asks for some moisture to be wiped off court. It doesn’t do him much good: two forehands go long and Tiafoe has broken Nadal to make it 4-3 in the first.
Jessica Pegula got through to her first US Open quarter-final earlier this afternoon and is having a chat with ESPN. She will play the winner of Swiatek and Niemeier and says she’s not surprised the German is a set up against the world No 1, as she’s seen her talent develop recently.
Cameron Norrie lost earlier this afternoon, and our own Tumaini Carayol was there to watch what was an uncharacteristically flat performance from the Briton. Here’s the report in full:
Tiafoe sends down a serve at 30-30 that is recorded at 135mph but looks about 465mph. It’s straight down the middle and Nadal can’t get anywhere near it. Tiafoe goes on to hold and we’re level at 2-2 in the first.
A few problems for Niemeier as she attempts to serve out the set. Swiatek takes her to deuce on the German’s own serve, but Niemeier holds her nerve (and serve) and she takes the first set! The shock is on…
Updated
Anyroad up, I’m off for a break; here’s Tom Lutz to keep you apprised while I’m gone.
In making round four, Niemeier hasn’t played anyone seeded, but she’s taken to Swiatek nicely, outhitting her from the back, and it’s no surprise when she makes 15-40. But she can’t convert, wasting her second break point by ambling in to net sloppily. No matter: she monsters another second set to then hit a drop, slips while hitting a forehand … and distracted at the other end, Swiatek, who need only get the ball into court, nets! Niemeier has the double break at 5-2! Back on Ashe, by the way, a hold each has Tiafoe and Nadal at 1-1.
Swiatek’s hitting the net a lot today, and does so again when she gets Niemeier serves at deuce. She does win the next point, though, only for Niemeier to close out from there and increase her lead to 4-2 in the first.
Updated
The problem, of course, is that Tiafoe is playing Superman, so.
Niemeier still has her break, leading Swiatek 3-2, while Tiafoe comes out for his match with Nadal wearing a hoodie … in 100% humidity. That’s like Barcelona 92 when Derartu Tulu did this to Liz McColgan.
While they wait for Tiafoe and Nadal, Henman and Rusedski discuss the Rublev v Norrie match, noting that Rublev had played a lefty in Shapovalov in the previous round and also that his forehand is seriously respected on tour. But what really impressed them is how he kept the head and how Norrie got round four despite not playing well. I do wonder how he gets better from here – it feels a bit like he’s reached the outermost limits of his athleticism and talent – but experience will help.
“They’re now rolling back the roof on Ashe in time for Rafa,” says the returning Tobias Peggs. “It must be said, it’s thing of engineering beauty.”
They’ve opened the roof on Ashe and are doing likewise on Armstrong.
Seriously.
Next on Ashe: Francis Tiafoe [22] v Rafael Nadal [2].
As we were saying, no one knows anything when it comes to women’s tennis, and Niemeier breaks Swiatek at the first time of asking to lead 1-0, then holds to 15 for 2-0. She looks to me like a real talent.
Pegula has now made three slam quarters this year and says that when Kvitova had her moments she tried to stay patient and thinking about hitting her spots. Her parents own the Buffalo Bills, so she should be free to watch that on Thursday, and prior to that, she’ll check out Swiatek v Niemeier – though she knows how Swiatek plays.
Jessica Pegula [8] beats Petra Kvitova [21] 6-3 6-2!
That was almost perfect from Pegula, who incited Kvitova to hit an entire set’s worth of unforced errors with her superb stonewalling, and reaches the last eight of her home grand slam for the first time ever. There, she’ll meet Swiatek or Niemeier.
Updated
Swiatek and Niemeier are just getting going on Armstrong, and in normal circumstances, I’d say that it’s hard to look beyond the former when considering who might leave New York as champ. But this is this era of women’s tennis and no one’s got a clue what’s going to be.
Updated
Pegula holds to 15, and at 5-3 she’s a game away, having hit seven winers the entire match!
Paging Martina…
Andrey Rublev just spent nearly 20 minutes after his win over Cameron Norrie signing and taking selfies for fans. As usual. pic.twitter.com/pTzocx2qCL
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) September 5, 2022
This match is slipping away from Kvitova who, at 3-6 2-3 0-30, tries to serve-volley and gets nowhere. But though she saves the first break point, Pegula hits superbly from the back and it’s Kvitova who errs forces, clumping long, and Pegula is two holds away from the last eight!
I wonder if the delay on Ashe – 45 minutes’ worth – was more damaging to Kvitova, a shot-maker, than to Pegula, a percentage player. You’d think that playing like the former takes a little more rhythm and, as I type that, solid defence from Pegula, little more, earns her her break-back. She leads 6-3 2-2.
Updated
Next on Armstrong: Swiatek [1] v Niemeier.
Kvitova breaks Pegula in the first game of set two, so this match is far from over.
Asked if he was surprised to win so quickly after two five-setters, Rublev notes that the match lasted two and half hours, also wondering if Norrie was tired “because he helped me” at various points of the match. He thanks the crowd when prompted, but you can see he’s desperate to get away, so obviously he’s asked another question: what will he be doing later? And the answer confirms what we learnt about him earlier: he’ll be watching Tiafoe v Nadal.
Back on Ashe, Pegula serves out to win the first set against Kvitova 6-3.
Andrey Rublev [9] beats Cameron Norrie [7] 6-4 6-4 6-4!
He played really well today, though Norrie was below-par, and meets Tiafoe or Nadal next.
Updated
It never rains. Rublev makes 30-0 and, in the process, crushes a forehand into Norrie then raises three match points…
Six points in a row for Rublev when he makes 0-30, then when Norrie nets a backhand the match feels almost over. AND HAVE A LOOK! Norrie fights back to 30-40, plays a decent approach, comes in … and Rublev hooks a sensational forehand winner cross-court! In 90 seconds, he’ll serve for the last eight!
Love hold in double-quick time from Rublev, so we’re 4-4 in set three while, on Ashe, Pegula now leads Kvitova 4-3 with a break.
Norrie’s found himself, and didn’t even need a gap yah in which to do it. But at 40-0, consecutive winners from Rublev change the complexion of things, before a protracted rally during which Norrie can’t put away an overhead. But he then gets another chance, leathers onto the top of the net … and it leaps up, then dribbles over! That is the most ridiculous cord iI’ve ever seen! Rublev does not find it all that funny, lamping the ball into the net a second time, and Norrie flinches because he thinks it’s going to hit him. ahis is getting intense.
Updated
Norrie remonstrates with his racket and receives a code violation, then plays a terrific point to make 15-30 … and another for 15-40, whipping consecutive forehand with extreme prejudice. Can he convert? Yes he can, keeping Rublev moving so that he goes long, and Norrie has his break back. Has momentum changed? Meantime, on Ashe, Pegula survives break point and is now serving at 2-3.
Updated
Pegula and Kvitova are away again, Kvitova holding for 2-1, while Norrie again finds himself under pressure before closing out to 30. He’s hitting it much harder now, partly because the roof is closed and partly because, as Don Draper likes to say, he’s trying to change the conversation.
Norrie finds his serve under pressure again, but on deuce finds an ace and closes out from there. But in soul-crushing style, Rublev holds to love, so within seconds Nozza is back with the balls and back under pressure at 4-6 4-6 2-3.
Updated
A hold apiece at the start of set three on Armstrong while, on Ashe, our players are back with us.
“I’m in an Uber on my way to Flushing Meadow,” brags Tobias Peggs, “from the Bed-Stuy neighbourhood in Brooklyn – about 7 miles away – and it was bone dry there. In fact I had to give my tomatoes an extra watering before I left! Must be some strange microclimates in NYC today. (Though I can confirm – it’s hot as hell!).”
Heat in Bed-Stuy can mean only one thing.
We’re getting close to ready on Ashe, as I notice that, on Labor Day, the US Open is celebrating Military Appreciation Day. I’m not entirely certain what that has to do with tennis.
Rublev has got tight serving for things before, and a poor second serve is monstered back at him, giving Norrie 0-30; can he capitalise? Er, no: Rublev responds with two big first serves, then another that raises set point … but after Norrie finds decent length on the return, he nets, and there’s a sense that momentum might be shifting. It probably won’t matter for this set, and a deficit of two may be insurmountable … which is where we are, because Norrie nets a serve that barely clambered over the net. Rublev leads 6-4 6-4.
In the Wimbledon quarter, Norrie played really poorly against Goffin but found a way to win in five. He didn’t, though, have to come back from two sets down – as he will here, if Rublev holds after change of ends, because Norrie secures a hold of his own that gives him 4-5 in set two.
Not in the first instance. Rublev holds for 5-3, and Norrie will now serve to stay in set two.
Right, we’re ready. Rublev to serve, leading 6-4 and 4-3 with a break; can Norrie get his backhand going?
Being bigger Ashe has a bigger roof that takes longer to close. For that reason, it got wetter than Armstrong, so it’ll be a fair bit longer before we’re good to go there. Norrie and Rublev, though, are back knocking up, and apparently it’s hotter than hellfire out – sorry in – there.
It’s now more than 15 minutes since the last point, which means the players get a short warm-up if they want it. The court, though, still has damp patches on it, so I don’t think it’s yet safe for the players.
I wonder if the stoppage might help Nozza, who needs to either improve his own game, hope Rublev’s level drops, or both. I wonder if the roof on might actually help Rublev, as generally it aids those with a power game, but in the meantime they’re mopping up because they didn’t make the change when they should’ve done and the court got properly wet.
The rain is heavier now, so they’re closing the roof on Ashe too. That should take about seven munutes, they’ll then dry the floor, and we should be away again in 15 minutes.
Updated
Pegula’s hitting it nicely here, a succession of forehands saving break-back point and earning her deuce. But Kvitova is into this now, and when that’s the case not many can live with her power, including today’s opponent; she rushes through deuce, and we’re back on serve at 1-1 while, on Armstrong, Rublev holds for 6-4 4-2 and they decide to shut the roof.
Updated
Ah, there may have been a change of mind – Rublev is ready to go again, and though they announced the roof would be closed, they’ve opted to continue as is.
It looks pretty grey, so I’d expect the roof to come on over both courts … and yes, they’ve announced that the roof is coming on. The rain is light, so I’m not sure how long it’ll stay on, but in the meantime we’ll have a break of 10 minutes or so.
Pegula breaks Kvitova in the first game of the match and then it starts to rain. I assume that, on Ashe, they’ll close the roof, but Rublev, on Armstrong and on a roll, wants to just keep going.
Kvitova and Pegula are away.
Norrie earns his first break point but a big forehand from Rublev alters the course of the next rally – though he mishits the overhead that ends it. So we go to deuce and, with Norrie looking set for advantage, Rublev conjures a ludicrous hooked forehand, cross-court on the run, and from there closes out for 6-4 3-1.
On Ashe, Kvitova and Pegula are with us, and I’m looking forward to this one. Mainly because I love Kvitova who, on Saturday, outlasted Muguruza in a classi. But Pegula is interesting too, a really clean hitter who’s in the form of her life.
But it’s not really the forehand or backhand that makes Norrie so tough to play, rather the difference in pace between the two which makes it so hard for opponents to find their rhythm. Rublev, though, is playing really nicely, and by playing down the middle, as he is, he’s denying Norrie the angle he needs to dictate. And, as I type that, Norrie sends a forehand long, again in response to a shot down the middle, and at 15-40 is in big trouble. And though Rublev then goes long, a decent return planted close to the line incites Norrie to go long and that’s the break! In comms, they’re wondering if Norrie, who wasn’t feeling great last week, isn’t at his physical best, but it looks more like Rublev is cramping him, and he needs to have a think about how to combat that.
Updated
Norrie holds at the start of set two and at 15-30, earns himself a mini-chance on Rublev’s serve. But his backhand – his power-shot, as opposed to the loopy forehand that opponents finds so taxing to play – isn’t firing yet, and he sweeps one long. Shortly afterwards, Rublev closes out, and now leads 6-4 1-1.
Updated
It’s rare you see Norrie make three unforced errors in a game, but after opening with an ace, at 15-all Rublev offers partial payback, sending down a double that ramps up pressure. Another service winner follows, though, the Norrie nets when seeking to attack a second serve, giving Rublev set point … and he swings an ace down the middle! That was excellent from him. Norrie 4-6 Rublev
That last game was really good one, and Rublev follows it by fighting to 15-40 … then Norrie nets a backhand! Rublev leads 5-4, and after a little sit-down he’ll serve for the first set!
Norrie gets 0-15 and, leading 4-3, Rublev faces a little bit of scoreboard pressure. But facing second serve, Norrie can only stretch and direct a backhand into the net – he’ll be annoyed because he tried to be aggressive and the ball was there for him. We’re warming up, though, the next rally a 35-stroker that’s eventually finished by Rublev’s backhand winner down the line; he salutes the crowd, as you might, then finds another. Norrie, though, then smites a superb backhand return for a clean winner and follows it up with a big forehand to earn him deuce … only for Rubelv to finish the game in short order, sealing the deal with an ace. 4-4 it is.
Rublev enjoyed himself before the tournament started. “I went Monday and Friday to Harry Styles,” he confessed, “and Tuesday to Twenty One Pilots”. But did he get to meet anyone good? “They don’t do those things for me. I don’t know how all the players met all the stars. I asked once to go to an NBA game in Miami and they gave me the last row at the top. And I think I was top 10 at the time.”
Or, in other words, there’s not loads going on here, and Norrie holds to 15 for 4-3.
We’re rattling though the games here, which will be more to Rublev’s taste – he’ll want short points, Norrie longer ones so that his extra guile and fitness will tell. Oh, and here’s Calv with a little more: “I think Rublev is just a bit weird rather than having an attitude. He’s not very socially comfortable at all.” Norrie holds easily for 3-2.
Updated
On Rublev, who’s just held for 2-2, Calvin Betton our resident coach get in touch: “Basically has plan A and nothing else. Hit it hard and flat, very intense, almost no variation. He’s all tennis. Obsessed with it. He’s apparently a bit off, but I’ve always found him OK from a small sample size. I always find it weird when they criticise players for being confident.”
“The only tennis player without a suntan” said Annabelle Croft of Rublev – gosh, he’s getting a right kicking from Amazon today, how do you come back from that one? Norrie holds, then he holds, and we’re into the match.
And play!
Rublev does, though, have loads of flair, and if he hits a seam he can beat anyone. This should be a really good match, and the players have joined us for it, which is helpful.
As for Rubelv, “He’s got a bit of an attitude for the kid that hasn’t won anything yet,” says Martina. “He’s walking around like he’s won it three times.” Ouch!
Updated
It’s extremely humid in Flushing, and Rublev had to play five sets in his last match. Norrie, on the other hand, has the lungs of a deep sea diver – genuinely – and hasn’t played his best yet, though has still progressed without losing a set. He’s a warm favourite today.
Righto, we’re nearly ready to go; I’m watching VT of Cameron Norrie talking about his desire to do well. More news as I get it.
Preamble
Sometimes you look at an order of play and think goodness me, today is a day. And there are other times when you like at an order of play and think goodness me, today is a day. Well, mates, today is a DAY.
We begin on Armstrong with Cameron Norrie and Andrey Rublev, the number seven seed versus the number nine seed, both men looking to establish themselves as second-week staples. Then, on Ashe, we’ve got Petra Kvitová, trying to rediscover the brilliance that made her a double Wimbledon champion, taking on Jessica Pegula, the veteran whose best slam performances have all come this year; not bad.
But there’s more – much more. Francis Tiafoe v Rafael Nadal should ba a treat, Tiafoe starting to find the consistency of shot-making to elevate his ridiculous athleticism while, on Armstrong, Iga Swiatek, the world number 1, plays Jule Niemeier, the surging young German who is more than good enough to cause her aggravation.
And after that, there’ll be two further matches – Victoria Azarenka v Karolina Pliskova in a classic touch v power battle, and Ilya Ivashka v Jannik Sinner, Sinner perhaps ready to contend. Then, in the evening sesh, Danielle Collins, in the form of her life, faces the brilliantly fragile and fragilely brilliant Aryna Sabalenka, before potential Carlos Alcaraz battles the rejuvenated Marin Cilic. Which is to say that it’s a lot, but in the best possible way.
Play: 11am local, 4pm BST
