On Armstrong, Zverev leads Nakashima 3-6 6-1 4-1 and looks to headed for the last eight. But otherwise, that’s us done for today – so here’s a teaser for tomorrow. Until then, though, peace out.
Navarro says it feels so special to be playing in New York, where she was born – this is her first time on Ashe. It was tough losing the second set – she had chances but regrouped and came back for the third to play aggressive tennis with a positive mindset.
Emma Navarro (13) beats Coco Gauff (3) 6-3 4-6 6-3
The champ is out! Gauff won’t often play – and serve – that badly; she’s got work to do because she’s falling away in her delivery. But Navarro did a decent job, winning enough big points to get it done, and she faces Paula Badosa (26) next.
Updated
Another game, another double; a service-winner down the T. But Gauff is fighting herself here, an 18th double of the match ceding 15-30 … a netted forehead restoring parity at 30-all. Another double, though, and Navarro has match point …and a look at a second serve…
Gauff broke back at 3-4 in set two and at 0-15 will fancy herself to get after it again. But coming in, she somehow fails to put away three balls at the net, Navarro retrieving superbly then, back on the baseline, she nets … and again for 15-30. Oh and look at that! Navarro sends a backhand cross to the corner, Gauff swings it back and returns to centre, another ball to the same corner follows, which is far too good. And from there, Navarro holds to 30; she’s a game away at 5-3 in the third and what’s this?! Kids with balls to get signed charging to the front for when Gauff loses! Dear me, what are the parents up to? They’re quickly sent back whence they came.
Three doubles in a game – this is the second of these - mean Gauff is at deuce. But she makes advantage when Navarro can’t return, and a service winner secures a hold to keep the match alive, more or less, at 3-4 in the third; Zverev quickly consolidates got a 2-0 third-set lead, and he looks certain to win thanks to his ability to play well for longer.
Navarro holds comfortably to 15 and at 4-2 in the third, is close to the last eight; Zverev breaks Nakashima in game one of the third, and the momentum here looks definitive.
Back on Ashe, Navarro seals her love-consolidation with a terrific get, Gauff unable to get her overhead riposte back over the net. Gauff then finds herself down 14-30 thanks to another double; she follows it with an ace. Then at the end of a long rally, Gauff mainly defending, a big forehand nabs advantage and the mood changes again when she does similarly to secure the hold another joyous leap of a forehand getting her and the crowd going. I bet she wishes it wasn’t change of ends; Navarro leads 3-2 in the third.
Zverev is serving for the second set against Nakashima at 3-6 5-1 and it’ll take something significant to stop him from rolling through this from here, I reckon. Nakashima can play well enough to win another set, for sure, but I’d be surprised if he can win two before Zverev does and, as I type we go level art one set apiece.
Navarro holds for 1-1 in the third, then offered a short ball, stomps on to it and punishes a backhand winner down the line. But has Gauff dipped again? She nets a backhand – low, too – her 32nd unforced error, but quickly makes 30-all … only to cede break point. But Navarro top-edges her return … but Gauff doubles! Scary hours for the champ who comes in and plays a loopy first volley … then a beauty of a second! Back to deuce we go, and you can see it coming before it comes – another double, her shoulder pulling her over before she’s through the ball. And yet another double presents a break in the decider that might just settle this contest! Both players know Navarro got nervous last time she was close to the win, but she leads 2-1 in the third, with a break.
Back on Armstrong, Zverev rushes through a consolidation and is much the better player now, directing Nakashima from hither to yon in the process of taking a second break. Nakashima leads 6-3 0-4.
Both players know that when it got real – really real – Navarro wilted. Just a little, but necessarily, and Gauff rushes through a hold at the start of the third; she’s looking to play points as quickly as possible, and Navarro should maybe have gone out between sets to halt her momentum.
While all that was going on, the mood changed on Ashe, Gauff holding for 5-4 and in her celebration, getting herself and the crowd going. She’s also playing better, her forehand and volleying improving, and out of nowhere she raises two set points, taking the first when Navarro goes long! We’re level at one set apiece and the champ couldn’t have left it much later, but she found enough good tennis just in time and her entire demeanour has also changed.
Updated
The question for Nakashima is whether he can play well enough to beat Zverev for as long you need to play well enough to beat Zverev. Zverev, though, keeps missing break points so we’re going back and forth, deuce-advantage … and here comes another chance for Zverev, his ninth of the match … and when Nakashima nets, he leads 2-0 in the second, having lost the first.
From 30-0, Navarro allows Gauff back into the game; Martina reckons it’s nerves because she pushed at her backhand. And the champ quickly makes break-point getting a body serve on to her backhand only to then net. No matter, another opportunity arrives immediately … and a great rally ends when she sends a backhand just long. Again, though, Gauff is soon up advantage and this time, she’s the one handed a double. We’re back on serve at 4-4 in the second, Navarro – who’s feeling the tension – by one set to love.
At 6-3 3-3, Navarro smokes a backhand down the line for 30-all and to the surprise of no one, a double cedes break point. And look at that! Gauff plays a decent drop, nicely disguised … only for Navarro to scamper in and flicks back a forehand winner down the line! She goes up a set and a break, and it’ll take something pretty significant to alter the flow of this.Emma Navarro of USA in action during her fourth round match against Coco Gauff of USA at the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2024. EPA/SARAH YENESEL
Updated
Nakashima saves a further break-back point with an ace (I think), then serves out to take a 6-3 lead! He did so well to stick in that game, and found some fantastic shots when he needed them most.
Up 0-30, Zverev comes in and dumps the overhead; that oversight might cost him, and when a backhand also goes into the net, Nakashima is two points away from the first set. A clever lob, though, earns a break-back point … and at the end of a brutal rally, a brilliant backhand winner pasted down the line restores deuce. That’s the best shot I’ve seen Nakashima hit so far, and what a time to do it. But up advantage, Zverev finds a forehand winner, Nakashima goes long, and here comes another chance for the break-back. And have a look! Nakashima serve-volleys – both are beautiful shots – to save himself, and I feel I must interrupt this game to update the women’s match: Navarro leads Gauff 6-3 2-3, on serve. The champ is playing a little better, I think.
Navarro-Gauff has been so compelling I’ve barely seen any of Nakashima-Zverev, but it’s been the young American who’s looked better in what I’ve seen and up 4-3, he has break point … and a big return sees Zverev net a backhand! Nakashima leads 5-3 and will shortly serve foe the first set! He thinks he’s ready for this, you can tell.
Ah, but Martina does recommend Gauff target the backhand because if it comes back cross, she can unload on her own. It might not help much if she keeps sending down doubles – another means deuce, then another for advantage. Oh dear. Gauff takes a pause to mop her face but also to compose, I imagine, and the aroma of opportunity is there for Navarro. She beat Gauff at Wimbledon, of course, but doing it in New York, when her mate is the champ, is something else and she can’t convert break point, then sends two returns long. Gauff does just enough to hold, but Navarro leads 6-3 -1.
The sole break in that set was an absolute gift, a meld of doubles and errors – there were plenty of them in the other games too. Martina notes that Navarro won’t give this away so Gauff, who nips out between sets, will have to play better if she’s to win. It feels like that is the most important adjustment, banal though it sounds, rather than anything tactical or strategic.
At the end of the longest rally of the match, 27 strokes, Navarro has 15-0 – my coverage drops out, so I don’t actually know how that happened. Then, at 30-0, a forehand error from Gauff means three set points, and only one is required! Navarro leads the champ 6-3 and though she’s not hitting the bigger shots, she’s taking fewer risks and making fewer errors.
Nakashima fights off break-point to hold for 2-1 against Zverev and looks pretty comfy out there. Meantime, a Gauff error and Navarro putaway make 0-30 but, two points away from going a set down, the champ quickly levels the game. She then finds an ace to save her at 30-40, another colossal delivery for advantage … then Navarro passes her superbly down the line. No matter, Gauff secures what might prove to be a crucial holds with another booming serve, so at 5-3, Navarro will have to serve out.
Up 40-15, Navarro offers a sniff with a loopy long forehand, then should probably get to Gauff’s return but doesn't; deuce. Navarro, though, earns advantage with her first ace, closes out from there, and at 5-2 she’s within a game of the first set. By the looks of things, getting there will be taxing.
Down 0-15, Gauff bangs a signature backhand winner down the line, but two unforceds and a double hands over two break points … ceded with another double. That’s five in the game and Coach Calv’s message that I’ve not yet published – “Gauff has both the best and worst serve in women’s tennis” – looks extremely prescient. Navarro leads 4-2 in the first while, on Armstrong, Nakashima holds for 1-0 against Zverev
Another hold apiece but more straightforward this time, Navarro up 3-2. She’s not at all overawed by the occasion but she’s having to put in a lot of work, and on so humid a day, that might tell later, especially when the pressure is heavier.
Nakashima and Zverev arrive on to Armstrong, and this should also be good.
Gauff is into this now, working Navarro about the court by way of her notoriously erratic forehand and earning break point. In comms, Martina notes that in that situation, she’d not give Gauff a single look at a backhand return, but Navarro thinks differently and is punished. No matter: she holds for 2-1 in the first and already this is intense and hard.
Updated
Strong tracky-top game from Martina today.
"It's extraordinary!" 🤯
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) September 1, 2024
Martina Navratilova, Laura Robson, Annabel Croft and Gigi Salmon weigh in on the double bounce controversy between Haddad Maia and Kalinskaya ⬇ pic.twitter.com/IqKb9IPGQH
Navarro holds handily then forces break point at 30-40, Gauff racing in to power-flick a backhand cross on to the outside of the sideline; that was simultaneously stuffy and brilliant. Navarro though, just carries on doing what she’s doing, reading a putaway to block back a winner with her opponent stranded, but she can’t land an attempted backhand winner, so we’re back to deuce. Another break-point disappears when Navarro nets, but a third double in the game offers a further opportunity … removed via service-winner. If Gauff gets in front in the match, she’ll be hard to catch, but if Navarro can lands the early blows, she’s a really good chance. The champ, though, is nails, and she serves out to level us up at 1-1 in the first.
Otherwise, Calv says of Nakashima that “He’s a great returner. You’ve got to hit spots and fast every time to stop it coming back with interest. And he’s pretty good at everything else.”
Against Zverev, the aim will always be to attack the forehand – likewise against Gauff, who’s just started on Ashe against her good mate Navarro.
Coach Calv is back! “Nakashima is in great form,” he says. “He could definitely win. But Zverev has become really good at not losing to people he shouldn’t lose to.”
I agree – I think I wrote last week he’s now where Murray was in 2011: able to beat excellent players who play their best against him almost all of the time, just not able to find that last bit against the best on the biggest stages.
Next on Ashe: Emma Navarro (13) v Coco Gauff (3).
Next on Armstrong: Brandon Nakashima v Alexander Zverev (4).
On we go!
Updated
Fritz says he was outplayed in the first set but fought at the beginning of the second set to fight through some difficult holds then exert scoreboard pressure at the end. At that stage, he felt like he was getting more looks at Ruud’s second serve and did a good job to force the break.
As the roof opens, he says he’s taking it one match at a time though he knows some good players have gone out. In 2022, he came in saying he could win it and went out in the first round, so he’s keeping it quiet and will he what happens next.
Taylor Fritz (12) beats Casper Ruud (8) 3-6 6-6 6-3 6-2
Superb from Fritz, who rode Ruud’s purple patch at the start to intensify his dominance set by set. He faces Brandon Nakashima or Alexander Zverev (4) next.
Grigor Dimitrov (9) beats Andrey Rublev (6) 6-3 7-6(3) 1-6 3-6 6-3
A terrific match secured in fitting manner. Dimitrov was so composed there and reaches his first US Open quarter since 2019. There, he’ll face Francis Tiafoe (20) or Alexei Popyrin (28) and will fancy himself to despatch either.
Updated
Brilliant from Dimitrov, a 129mph body-serve making 40-0, three first deliveries landed. He might’ve shrunk after being hauled back to 2-2 from 2-0, but he’s kept doing what he’s doing, serving well, hitting his backhand beautifully, and keeping cool when the pressure was at its most terrifying.
Rublev holds to 15, a vicious ace whipped down the T sealing the deal; Dimitrov will now serve for the match at 5-3 in the fifth, while following change of ends, Fritz will do likewise at 5-2 in the fourth.
Fritz is close too, now up 4-1 30-0 in the fourth, but back to Ashe, Serena and Alicia Keys are bopping together at change of ends; lovely stuff.
Rublev holds for 2-4, then annihilates a forehand winner for 0-15. And though he quickly nets a backhand, a Dimitrov error is followed by a double; 15-40 and two break-back points. P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E! Which is handled well, a big serve returned long, then a second serve hit hard into the body makes deuce. Hold tight Griggzy, it takes bottle to be that aggressive in that situation, and next point, a stretch-volley forces Rublev to play another shot and he flicks his forehand putaway long! What an oversight that is, and an ace secures the hold that might just settle a fine, exciting match. Dimitrov leads 5-2 in the fifth and is one game away from the quarters.
Well Taylor Fritz has, playing a ridiculous point to make 0-40; Ruud does really well to claw his way to deuce, but down advantage, a double hands over the double-break ant at 3-0 in the fourth, this feels over. and Rublev-Dimitrov isn’t far off, the Bulgarian consolidating comfortably for 4-1 in the fifth.
Fritz breaks Ruud at the first time of asking in set four and it’s now an even bigger ask for the number eight seed to get back into this; he must now break one of the most impregnable serves in the game just to stay in the match. The consolidation, though, is sealed with a kiss an ace, while, on Ashe, Dimitrov caresses a wondrous backhand down the line to raise break point and Rublev drops long to secure it! The Bulgarian leads 3-1 in the fifth and having surrendered a two-set lead, has he hit a seam just when he needs to?
Dimitrov’s backhand is a joke, drive, slice and lob all involved in the point that gives him 30-0. A service-winner follows, and a love-hold is quickly secured for 2-1.
Ruud was two sets down to Jerry Shang in the last round, but Fritz, with his serve and in nick, is a different proposition; I’d be pretty surprised were he able to win two sets in a row. Meantime a hold apiece means we’re level at 1-1 in the fifth on Ashe, both men hitting the cover off it; it’s great, tense stuff.
Back on Ashe, Dimitrov is forced through deuce for his hold in game one of the fifth, but secures it with an ace. He needed that.
On set point at 40-15, Fritz nets a backhand; can you guess what happens next? Yup, an ace down the T secures rhe set ad he leads Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Serving at 1-1 2-5, Ruud holds, so Fritz must now serve for the third set. He immediately dispenses a booming forehand for 15-0.
Rublev is by far the better player now, quickly making 30-0, but we know things can change – especially with him involved in them. On 40-15, Dimitrov thinks he’s served an ace but the umpire calls let … for all the difference it makes. Another big serve is good enough and at 3-6 6-7 6-1 6-3 we’re going to watch a decider; get in!
Dimitrov holds easily enough, so Rublev will now serve for set four. Will the pressure get big on him?
Some players improve when vexed – JP McEnroe used anger to get him going, wittingly or otherwise, but Rublev seems to me to play better when calmer, and he very quickly consolidates for 5-4. He’s one game away from forcing a decider, which would be an absolute treat.
Excellent from Rublev, a barrage of backhands making it 3-2 0-30 in the fourth. But a gorgeous backhand slice down the line, and ball arcing away, levels the game … then another into the net and Rublev has break point! And look at that! a monstrous forehand on to the baseline is too good and, having beaten Arthur Rinderknech from two sets down, he’s now in position to do likewise to Griggzy. Back on Armstrong, meanwhile, Fritz leads 1-1 4-1.
Thanks John and hi again. I’m not shocked Fritz is in control against Ruud – his serve and forehand are demanding to face, and well though the Norwegian played in set one, he’s not so good he can maintain that for a full match. It’s now 3-0 Fritz in set two.
Dimitrov starts serving again, and we are at 2-2 in the fourth.
And with that, two matches in the balance, I shall hand you back to Daniel Harris.
Taylor Fritz is in control of his match with Casper Ruud; he’s 2-0 up in the third set.
Updated
Hello, here comes Dimitrov again, with Rublev’s missed forehand sailing out. Three break points but the first two are wasted. Fine serve saves the third. Rublev’s not done either. An incredible rally, including Dimitrov’s tennis rabona through the legs, but Rublev sees it out. It’s 2-1 in the fourth set.
Dimitrov and Rublev start with two holds of serve, with Dimitrov looking mightu relieved to hold his. He’s looking more like his opening set self already.
Rublev takes the next two games with ease, Dimitrov happy to hand them over and write the third set off as a bad job, a 6-1 loss. So, off we go into the fourth. Rublev fancies another comeback from two sets down.
Updated
Dimitrov doubles when trying to hold serve – his ninth. Then comes a tenth. Oh dear, break point. But followed by a skidding ace. Then a huge, unreturnable clanker. He then hits the net cord three times, and must face another break point. When he saves that, Rublev glowers at his coaches. But then comes another double fault and Rublev leads 4-1 in the third
Meanwhile, Fritz has set point on Ruud, and takes it on his opponent’s serve, levelling at 1-1 with a 6-4 second-set win.
Rublev is in the zone, and races to 40-0 up. The noise and hubbub of the Meadows seem to get to him but he’s 2-0 up. Dimitrov’s serve is wobbling – eight double faults so far – but then thwacks a backhand to save three break points. He then serves out to be 1-2 in the third set.
Ruud and Fritz are at similar loggerheads. Ruud relieved to level at 4-4 in the second set.
Casper Ruud v Taylor Fritz is at 3-3 in the second set, with Ruud looking in good nick, Fritz rather holding on but to be fair, he’s 4-3 up now. Rublev seems to be going through some element of personal hell, though Dimitrov shanks a baseline hit to deny himself the first game, and be pulled back to deuce. And Rublev pulls off a backhand volley at the net; wonders never cease. And Rublev breaks Dimitrov – is the comeback actually on?
So, into a second-set tie-break between Rublev and Dimitrov, and it feels key. Dimitrov serves a double-fault to fall 2-0 down. The yips? No, he makes bank with second serve, and gets his first point. Rublev aces for 3-1 up. Then Dimitrov wins a huge rally, clattering the ball home. Then follows up with a serve and volley. It’s 3-3 and they’re slugging it right out. A Rublev leaves him 5-3 down. And then a missed volley at the net means it is 6-3 down. He’s no Pat Cash. Dimitrov clanks the winner of the next and has a two-set lead.
And he wears it well, sealing his hold with an ace; he leads 6-5 in the second while Ruud, playing better than I’ve seen him for a while, leads Fritz 6-3 1-2 on serve.
But I’m off for a break, so here’s John Brewin to hang with you for the next hour.
Dimitrov’s backhand has been the decisive shot in this match so far. I know why Rublev planned to target it – it’s so rare to see a reliable one-hander – but it’s not working. He does, though, curve a fine forehand winner down the line for 15-30; a service winner restores parity and consecutive aces put an exclamation mark on the hold. Pressure switches to Rublev at 5-5 in the second…
Ruud holds comfortable and leads Fritz 6-3. Meanwhile, Dimitrov sets about Rublev’s serve at 30-0, forehand whacking levelling the game – he’s got such a lovely, flowing stroke – but when an error gives him break point, Rublev saves it with a forehand of his own. No matter: he’s soon up advantage, and when a huge forehand misses the sideline – by a fraction – we’re somehow back on serve in set two. Rublev, though, handles the disappointment, and Dimitrov must still hold to stay in the set at 6-3 4-5.
He’s got it! Rublev makes yet another break point and this time, Dimitrov’s backhand lets him down, wafted long; at 5-3 in the second, the Russian will now serve for one set apiece.
Serena is in the house again and she’s seeing a decent tussle, Rublev in the ascendancy but unable to break. To leave Ashe for a moment though, Ruud has just broken Fritz for 5-3 in the first and will now serve for the first set.
Updated
Or not! Rublev rushes through a love-hold, a tasty half-volley on the forehand clinching the game. I can barely stand the tension of the breaker in prospect; Dimitrov leads 6-3 3-4.
Rublev might just hitting a seam, taking 0-30, but a wild forehand, then Dimitrov alters momentum in the next rally with a big backhand before finishing the point with a jazzer down the line. But at 40-30, Rublev hits a fine return and pick-up, staying at the net to finish the point. Again, though, Dimitrov does the necessary to secure his hold and knowing Rublev as we do, it’s hard not to wonder if his aggravation at failing to break will lead to him being broken himself. Meantime, Ruud fights through deuce for his hold for 4-3.
Gosh, at 30-all, Rublev conjures a wondrous forehand, cross-court, on the run, and on to the tootsies; from there, he closes out, gesticulating at his box for something or other. Dimitrov leads 6-3 2-3 while, on Armstrong, Fritz has just held for 3-3.
A fantastic get from Rublev, the ball again directed at the Dimitrov backhand, allows him to clean up and make 0-15; an ace restores parity. But at 15-40, Rublev has a sniff … quickly extinguished, then can’t make advantage with a swing-volley, instead letting Dimitrov play another and botching an overhead. He loves that as much as you might imagine and when a forehand loops long, we remain on serve on set two; in a sense, this match is similar to Badosa-Wang, close but one player’s ability to handle big points the difference.
Ruud opens with a comfy hold while on Ashe it’s a hold apiece, meaning Dimitrov leads 6-3 1-2; I’m wondering if Rublev has found some equilibrium because he looks calmer and is playing a bit better.
Updated
Dimitrov races to 0-40 on the Rublev serve but despite it all yerman doesn’t lack for character or desire and he quickly makes deuce. He’s hitting to the Dimitrov backhand a lot but the ball keeps coming back – a change in tactic might be necessary – but Rublev secures a crucial hold to trail 3-6 1-0.
On Armstrong, Ruud and Fritz are out and will soon get us going. “Both playing OK but neither in great form,” returns Coach Calv. “I don’t massively rate either at that level.”
Yup, I agree – I’d be staggered if either wins a Slam, though I have enjoyed Fritz recently.
Updated
Down 30-0, Rublev goes long with a forehand return and yelps his disgust, but Dimitrov burns the first set point with a long backhand. Ahahahaha! No matter, Dimitrov annihilates an ace down the T, and he leads 6-3. As for Rublev, I wonder if he’s getting any help managing his emotions; you get the sense he’d be a better, happier player with a bit of that.
Serving to stay in the set, Rublev nets a backhand which means, at 30-all, Dimitrov is two points away from the set. But a good return elicits a forehand error and deuce, only for a miraculous backhand, on the slide and sent zoning low across the face of the net, to raise game point; Dimitrov applauds and Rublev apologises. From there, though, the number six seed secures the hold, forcing his opponent to serve for the first set at 5-3.
Before long Rublev is good to go again, holding for 2-4 before making 15-30. Then, at 30-all, Rublev finds a fine, deep forehand that makes deuce … only to botch a forehand thereafter; Dimitrov lets him off with a double. For all the good it does him: Dimitrov is struggling for his holds but he’s making them, and leads 5-2 in the first.
Rublev, who’s been whacking his hand with his racket, calls for the trainer having cut the bottom of his left hand his own self. In co-comms, Anabelle Croft calls it “embarrassing”, but I don’t see it like that – he struggles to manage emotions, but so do lots of people, he’s just a tennis player so we see him do it on telly.
Righto, time to focus on our men’s match in progress, and it’s Dimitrov up 3-1 having broken to love. And Rublev, who’s already assaulted himself in anguish, has burned three break points in the game in progress … which ends suddenly, Babyfed guiding a glorious one-hander down the line. He leads 4-1.
Updated
Next on Armstrong: Casper Ruud (8) v Taylor Fritz (12).
Badosa takes a moment when asked her first question, savouring and composing. She saw the clock during the second game and thought gosh, it’s so humid and this is taking so long, then told herself “She’s tough but i’m tougher,” vowing to stay out there for three hours if that’s what was required. She’s loving it on court and doesn’t want to cry – last year she was unable to compete and a few months ago she was thinking about quitting, having lost belief in herself and with her back injury not improving.
Reminded she has a winning record against both Gauff and Navarro, she says she’s mates with both and loves both. Gauff is so good so young and inspiration, while Navarro, she says, is tough.
Finally, asked what she’s listening to, she says she’s always listening to reggaeton to get pumped and loves to dance, so though she likes everything, latino music is where it’s at – and to evidence the preference, she shows us a few steps. I am so, so happy for her – what an affirming story it is to see her enjoying her tennis and hitting her levels.
Paula Badosa (26) beats Yafan Wang 6-1 6-2
This was a closer match than the scoreline suggests but Badosa was still much, much too good. she makes her second major quarter, looks in terrific form, and neither Navarro nor Gauff will fancy facing her next.
Updated
Badosa hasn’t made the last eight of a major since Roland Garros 2021 so closing out here might not be easy and, as I type, Wang plants an inside-out forehand winner on to the sideline for 0-30. The serve, though, gets Badosa out of trouble, but Wang comes in to dispatch a drive-volley and raise a seventh break point; again, it’s saved via serve. And when Wang makes advantage, she can’t find the forehand she needs to convert and Badosa quickly earns her first match point…
Yeah, our women’s contest is as good as over, Badosa breaking to lead 6-1 5-2; she’ll shortly serve to stay in the match.
Updated
“This will be a good match, says Coach Calv of our men’s tussle. “A great opportunity for both of them to show they’re better than what people think they are. Dimitrov is playing outrageously well, but he tends to find a way of messing up. He’ll try and ruin Rublev’s rhythm using his slice and coming to the net.”
Terrific backhand winner down the line from Wang for 0-15, but one into the net levels the gam, then at 15-30, Badosa slams a forehand winner on to the sideline. And when Wang makes 30-40, the only surprise is that break-point is removed by way of backhand. And shonuff, Badosa eventually closes out, up a set and a break at 6-1 4-2; on Ashe, Dimitrov holds in game one and Rublev quickly followssuits.
Updated
Badosa quickly makes 0-30 while, in comms, Marion Bartoli discusses the excellence and consistency of her ball-toss. Back on court, though, Wang quickly levels the game, only to stray long on the forehand when up game point. I think this is our first deuce of the set after loads in the first, and Badosa makes the most of it, making advantage and unleashing yet another forehand winner to secure her break! At 6-1 3-2 she’s nearly in the quarters
Up 40-0, Badosa unleashes a double, but quickly closes out. She leads 6-1 2-2.
The games are going faster now, Wang holding comfortably to trail 1-6 2-1, while Rublev and Dimitrov will soon be out on Ashe.
Wang makes 15-30 but yet again, Badosa finds a big first serve when she needs one, backs it up with an ace, and quickly secures her hold.
Poor old Wang. A stunning winner down the line – so far, her forehand has been the difference – gives Badosa 0-15, but Wang finds one of her own to level the game. A double, though, amps up the pressure … and Wang responds well, securing a crucial hold. Badosa leads 6-1 0-1.
The roof on Armstrong is closed and now we know why: it’s drizzling so play on outside courts has been suspended.
Badosa opens with an ace, then a terrific forehand into the corner is too good. And from there, she closes out a 6-1 set, which doesn’t reflect the balance of play but illustrates just how important the extra power and is.
A love-hold for Wang, forcing Badosa to serve for the first srt at 5-1.
I’m really enjoying this Badosa performance. Again, Wang makes it tight, reaching 30-all, and again a big but controlled forehand releases pressure. But a double takes us to deuce, again, then a winner and an ace make 5-0 and Wang is in big trouble, playing more or less as well as she can and getting nowhere.
Updated
So far Wang’s played fairly well with no reward, Badosa’s heavy artillery taking from her her opportunities. And shonuff she nails another at 30-all then quickly converts for the double-break and Wang os somehow both competing and not competing. Badosa 4-0 Wang
Badosa has played the big points well so far, down 30-40 and unleashing an inside-out forehand winner – though Wang will be disappointed with the return that made it happen. Another, this time down the line, brings Badosa advantage, and from there she seals her consolidation to lead 3-0.
Updated
Badosa makes 0-15 then drags a forehand wide; Wang reinforces with an ace out wide, then raises two game points with a forehand schlepped into the net. Badosa, though, saves one then clobbers a forehand winner on the leap and she’s relaxing into this, you sense. And again, we wind up at deuce, Badosa cleverly working a chance to punish a further forehand winner for advantage. But then she nets one, meaning another deuce, another Badosa forehand, into the forehand corner, yanking her another break point … and a booming rendition of the same, almost a table-tennis shot from half-court, means she leads 2-0. Wang is doing alright – well, even – but as we said at the top, if Badosa keeps the head, I’m not sure how she can be beaten here.
At 15-all, Wang whams an inside-out forehand winner – that’ll get her going – then, at the end of the longest rally of the match so far, Badosa nets one of her own, handing over two break points. The first is confiscated via service winner, the second when a moon ball drops long. But it’s soon advantage Wang, the long game allowing both players to settle, and a forehand winner from Badosa restores deuce. And from there, it looks like the game is secures, a big serve-forehand combo on advantage looking definitive … but a terrific forehand winner from the corner when no such thing looked possible means another deuce. And, though Badosa must then save yet another break point, she eventually secures a nine-minute hold which, though it suggests a close contest, also makes clear where the power advantage lies. Badosa leads 1-0.
Updated
Badosa to serve, and …play.
Badosa and Wang are on court knocking up; Wang looks nervous.
Like Navarro, Badosa is an NYC native – though she didn’t stay there – and also feels a strong sense of belonging when she competes in this competition. She’ll feel she can win this thing too – worse players than her have – however impregnable Sabalenka seems.
Every time I see Martina on the screen it gives me a little surge of joy. Stay well, champ.
Badosa, remember, has had back problems so severe she was told she might never play again, and also struggled with depression. Seeing her give the ball such joyful thumps is inspiring and energising to see, and if she can hold it down, I don’t see how Wang can beat her.
A little Badosa background…
Preamble
Yo dudes and welcome to the US Open 2024 – day seven!
We’re there aren’t we? After a first week of ludicrous action all over the show, we’re down – or up – to ludicrous action on the show courts, and there’s plenty of it.
We open on Armstrong with the heartwarming resurgence of Paula Badosa, rehabilitated and imposing her brave power-hitting in invigorating style. Chances are she has too much for Yafan Wang, but it doesn’t take much for game as big as hers to go haywire under pressure – and there’s plenty of that here.
On Ashe, meanwhile, we begin with a potential belter. Andrey Rublev wants it so badly you can feel it across the Atlantic, but he hasn’t quite found what it takes to beat a better player when it really matters. And though Griggzy Dimitrov isn’t that, he is a canny and classy operator who’s improved with age and, given the players who’ve gone out, he’ll be wondering if he might just force something he thought had passed him by.
Otherwise, we’ve got ourselves an enticing slugfest between Casper Ruud and the surging Taylor Fritz, while Brandon Nakashima, also in the form of his life, tries to upset Alexander Zverev.
And the day sesh closes on Ashe with a potentially nasty ruckus for the champ. Coco Gauff isn’t playing quite as well as she was this time last year, whereas Emma Navarro has never played better. At 23 the sense is that she’s hitting her stride, all her best Grand Slam performances coming in 2024. At Wimbledon, she couldn’t handle the situation when things got intense, beating Gauff handily before taking a last-eight hiding off Jasmine Paolini. But a New York, New York local, she’s much happier on the hard than the grass, so don’t be surprised if she does something special today – again.
Play: 11am local, 4pm BST
Updated
