Rublev will play Alex De Minaur or Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals. Rublev has made eight grand slam quarter-finals in his career … and lost all of them. Join us later this week to see if he can break the curse. For now, we’ll sign off for the day but will have reports from this evening’s matches later.
Rublev beats Draper 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. I thought Draper would take this one at the start of the day. But the heat – and lingering fitness issues – proved too much. When he’s fully fit he should go deep in the majors on a regular basis – and he’s still only 21. As for Rublev, he played really well today and deserves his place in the quarter-finals, his fourth appearance in the last eight at the US Open.
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Even though Draper is clearly shattered physically he is still serving at 130mph. A double fault brings up match point for Rublev though, which he misses out on after a long forehand. Draper saves another match point and eventually holds. As Christopher Eubanks says on ESPN, the Briton was clearly exhausted coming into the fourth set but has done well to force his opponent to serve out the match.
An easy hold for Rublev and a few wafts from Draper means the Russian is one game from a place in the quarter-final.
It’s a really humid day in New York – I’m sweating and I’ve got a fan next to my desk – so it’s little wonder Draper (and Rublev to a lesser extent) are looking weary out there after two-and-a-half hours on court. Still, Draper holds and he’s still in the match. 4-3 in the fourth set with Rublev to serve.
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This could be it for Jack Draper. He’s been broken in the fourth set and the No 8 seed is now 4-2 up and heading towards the quarter-finals. On ESPN there is speculation the Briton may be cramping up. It’s hardly a surprise given that he’s not entirely fit after long periods away from tennis.
A formidable doubles pairing on Arthur Ashe, where Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are playing Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Pegula went out earlier in the singles this afternoon so they’re trying to get this tie out the way before Coco’s quarter-final singles match tomorrow. It’s 1-1 in the first set.
Right, I’m off for a break now. Here’s Tom Lutz to chill with you for the next bit.
Draper looks a little ragged and weary now, but saves break point at 30-40. On advantage, though, Rublev runs around his backhand to cream a forehand winner down the line and return us to deuce. Draper, though is a tough expletive, and hangs on to move 2-1 in front – though he trails 2-1 overall.
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Straightforward holds for both men open set four, and I wonder how well Draper’s fitness will hold up here. He’s a natural athlete and works his arse off, but was injured not too long ago and has no experience of playing matches as intense as this against an opponent as good as this, so we don’t know how things’ll pan out.
Earlier, I complained complained about the matches picked for Ashe, so should say those there are now getting a bonus women’s doubles tussle, Guaff/Pegula v Kostyuk/Ruse. It’s great to see top players involved, and lovely how well the US women all get on.
Draper again departs to change clothes, doesn’t take as long as before, and we’re back away in set four, Rublev leading 2-1.
He’s turned it around! From 2-0 down, Rublev serves out to love and now leads 6-3 3-6 6-3. He’s had the edge all the way through the match save a period at the end of set two and start of set three, Draper’s phenomenal serve and forehand not enough to better a player of his all-round calibre … so far.
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Rublev holds for 4-3 then fights back from 40-0 in a game Draper looks to have boxed, sending an inside-out forehand spinning into the corner for deuce. And when a forehand balloons, he’s facing yet another break point and the question really is whether he can make another first serve because that’s what’s been saving him thus far. He can’t, but Rublev can’t punish a 73mph delivery, eventually clipping the net cord with a backhand that takes the ball out over the sideline. No matter: he makes advantage, powers a backhand, and will now serve for set three at 5-3!
Alcaraz is happy with his intensity all the way through, making few mistakes, playing his game and trying to get to the net. He likes playing with the roof on and when pushed having previously said his favourite surface was clay, he’s since fallen in love with grass and clay is now his preference but he’s comfy on them all. He hopes Sinner v Zverev is a good match and will definitely watch it, though whoever he meets represents a tough match.
Carlos Alcaraz beats Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 6-4
Arnaldi nets and played really well today, but Alcaraz always had a bit too much for him and meets Zverev or Sinner – one of few who can hit through him – next.
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A double and an unforced error help Rublev to 15-30, then forehand falls long and here come two break points. “Use your serve and volley, keep in short, embrace the challenge,” advises his coach, James Trotman, and two well-directed deliveries make deuce. This feels like a key moment of the match, and an ace down the T is followed by another out wide; brilliant from Draper, who levels the third at 3-3 while, on Ashe, Alcaraz is up 0-40 and holds three match points…
Rublev is back to holding easily, racing through a hold to 15 capped with an ace. And back on Ashe, Arnaldi battles to stave off another Alcaraz breaking campaign; he trails by two sets but is 4-4 in the third.
Rublev races through a service-game to love and he’s on the board in set three. Then, when Draper serves he makes 30-40 … and a wafted forehand wide, the second such error of the game, means we’re back on serve in set three,.
Draper consolidates and the force is with him; Alcaraz leads Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 3-3.
Wow! Up 0-15, Draper uncorks a terrifying forehand and, at the moment at least, looks like he’s winning the mental battle. And when Rublev nets a backhand – following a clever sliced approach – he’s facing two break points. Draper burns the first by cracking long … but yet another brutal forehand gives him an early advantage in set three!
Draper disappears to change clothes and he’s gone a while so Rublev remonstrates with the umpire, but we’re back under way now.
We knew it was going to happen and it did: Alcaraz breaks back immediately and leads Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 2-2.
AND HE DOES! A big serve and return into the net seals the deal and Rublev, who became increasingly agitated during the course of a set he dominated until the end, leaves the court to compose himself. Draper saved six break points there, and though I’m not sure that’s a sustainable method, he’s bang in this match at a set apiece.
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Rublev holds, forcing Draper to serve for set two at 5-3…
And what’s this?! Arnaldi breaks Alcaraz and leads 2-1 the third! He still trails 2-0 and has a long waty to go to nab a set, but he’s battled his arse off here so well done him.
Rublev sends a forehand from corner to corner, leaving a big chunk of the court open, but this time Draper overhits his attempted forehand winner and at 15-40, cedes two break-back points. A wide return deals with the first and a swinging backhand the second, the sixth break point he’s saved in the set … and he powers through deuce to go within a game of the second set at 3-6 5-2. Rublev is furious with himself.
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Alcaraz breaks and leads Arnaldi 6-3 6-3, in total command playing well within himself.
Draper makes 0-15 with a monstrous forehand down the line, then makes 15-30 only to slip as Rublev punishes a backhand winner cross-court. But have a look! On the skid, Draper smites a backhand winner down the line to end a rally of colossal ball-striking, and can he take the eventuating break point? YES HE CAN! Rublev sends down a double, his second of the game, and he’s raging at his behaviour! Draper leads 4-2 in the second!
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Rublev is dominating, Draper relying on his forehand to get him out of trouble. And to give it its due it’s a helluva weapon, but it seems more likely to falter than his opponent’s general play – though for now, he leads 3-2 on serve in set two.
Otherwise, Arnaldi is fighting, yet again for a hold; if he progresses through deuce, Alcaraz will have to serve for the second set.
Another brutal groundstroke secures Draper’s hold after a sapping game while, on Ashe, Arnaldi continues to stay in touch, holding himself to trail 3-6 3-4.
Draper needs to target Rublev’s backhand or at least refrain from hitting to his forehand – which is what he does after 30-all becomes 30-40, only to find the ball comes whizzing back past him. But an overhead makes him deuce, then he has to save various break points, two with murderous forehands and punctuating the tennis with complaints to the umpire about the aircon, who he says is “hearing things”.
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What can't Carlos Alcaraz do?! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TzfQVpYM2o
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2023
On Alcaraz, this from Dan Evans – who he beat last round – piqued my interest: “If anything, he probably plays too many shots. He let me out of jail a few times playing the wrong shot.”
Which tallies with what Alcaraz said: “Obviously, I want to win every match that I play, but at the same time, I want to have fun, try different things, make the people enjoy watching tennis and watching my matches. Sometimes I talk to myself about what is most important: if I win or doing great things.”
Or, alternatively, what he’s doing currently, which is both. He leads 6-3 2-1 with a break; Draper holds for 3-6 1-0, sealing the game with an ace.
Draper doesn’t look quite ready for this level of competition and as I type he wafts a backhand wide to give Rublev a hold to 15 and the set 6-3.
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Draper holds, forcing Rublev to serve for the set at 5-3; Alcaraz breaks immediately in set two and Arnaldi will know that there’s nothing he can do about this.
Rublev holds for 5-2 and is in control of this match now. Draper’s attacking style means he’s forever looking to hit winners, whereas his opponent has a better grasp of when to unload, winning plenty of points without having to.
Alcaraz, leading 5-3, holds to love to cement a 6-3 first set and one of the many astonishing things about him is how easily he beats almost everyone. He’s totally skipped the stage of being good enough to beat the best but raw enough to be beaten by good players playing their best.
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Rublev holds, to love, for the second time in a row and a 4-1 lead. Draper though, sticks in the set with a hold of his own, and has won the point every time he’s landed his first serve, problem being he’s not done so often enough.
This rig, however, is the opposite of whatever constitutes art. Dearie me.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, breaks Arnaldi then, in the process of consolidating, leaps to guide an oblique backhand overhead across the face of the net; he’s so creative on court, an artist as well as a streetfighter, and he holds for 5-2.
Draper does really well to chase down a lob and play a tweener, but Rublev eventually makes 15-30 with a big forehand; a booming serve out wide follows. Draper, though swings a backhand wide to leave himself break-point down … before retrieving it, at the end of a 19-shot rally, but opening shoulders and punishing a forehand deep that Rublev can’t get back over the net. But down advantage, Draper comes in behind a second serve – a bit if inexperience there, perhaps – and Rublev, well out of court, rips a backhand return cross-court for a clean winner and a 3-1 lead.
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Arnaldi has made a decent start, a topspin forehand landing on the line to give him 2-2. Draper, meanwhile, holds to 15 for 1-1 and looks in no way daunted by the court, the stage or his opponent.
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Alcaraz and Arnaldi are away, the defending champ holding for 1-0, and now Rublev fires down his first serve. Draper has the game to cause him trouble here – as I type, he thunders a forehand winner down the line and on the run – but we don’t yet know if he can play well enough for long enough to beat a player as good as the number eight seed. But another booming forehand makes 15-30 and when Rublev goes long on a forehand of his own, he faces break point … which he quickly retrieves with a big serve and forehand winner. Rublev does eventually serve out, but not before Draper smokes another colossal winner, and this is going to be a serious match.
Tell you what, I’d be naused if I’d spent dollar on a day-ticket for Ashe. I know Alcaraz is box office whatever the circumstances, but Draper v Rublev is a much more intriguing match than his against Arnaldi which, if it’s quick, could mean those watching see less than four hours of tennis.
Next on Armstrong: Jack Draper v Andrey Rublev [8].
No questions about her shoulder, which is annoying, but I imagine she’ll be reet.
Vondrousova says Stearns is a very dangerous player with a great future, who started really well. She didn’t expect to get to here after “Wimby” so is just trying to enjoy the games and will see what happens next. Even though she faced a home player, she felt the support, and asked how she’ll enjoy her day off, reveals her plan to spend the day in bed resting.
Marketa Vondrousova [9] beats Peyton Stearns (3)6-7 6-3 6-2
Despite shoulder-knack, Vondrousova shows her class and moves into her first quarter in New York. There, she’ll face Madison Keys in what should be a tremendous tussle; let’s hope her bodies is there for her.
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Stearns makes 0-15 but Vondrousova quickly levels the game, then an ace takes her two points away. She’s not played that well, but the feats or famine nature of Stearns’ hitting is perfect for her lefty cunning and consistency.
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Next on Ashe: Carlos Alcaraz [1] v Matteo Arnaldi.
Vondrousova holds for 5-1, and Stearns has slowly lost her composure through sets two and three, but she’ll learn a lot from it. She’s got the ability to make the Wimbledon champ work, but not yet the consistency to best her over the stretch. She does, though, hold to make her opponent serve for the march at 6-7 6-3 5-2.
Keys says it’s always tough playing a friend but they’ve been doing it their whole live, so on court it’s all business then they’re back to being mates. Asked if she deliberately took pace off today, she jokes that she always slices, drops and comes to the net, then thanks her coach and fiance who, as an ex-player, sees the game really well.
Madison Keys [17] beats Jessica Pegula [3] 6-1 6-3
Look at Madison Keys! Up 30-40, she incites Pegula to net and marches into the last eight, where she’ll meet Stearns or Vondrousova.
Vondrousova is a very different thing, but she’s also looking a cert for the last eight, making 30-40 whereupon Stearns slaps a forehand wide and that’s the double-break restored. Vondrousova leads 6-7 6-3 4-1.
Keys is wiping the floor with Pegula here and – no offence to the latter, who is a fine player – talentwise, that should not be surprising. In 2017 she made the final of this competition only to collapse against her close mate Sloane Stephens, and will feel she’s unfinished business here; she holds beautifully for 6-1 5-3 and if she can avoid choking, she’s going into the last eight.
I wonder how much the closed roof is helping Keys, who gives it a far harder wallop than Pegula … for all it matters when she seeks consolidation, as she’s broken back … before breaking again! Pegula just can’t get going, and if she’s not quick she’ll soon be getting gone, trailing 1-6 3-4. Stearns, though, is still fighting hard, retrieving one of Vondrousova’s breaks for a 1-3 third-set deficit.
I said Pegula was playing better and she was, but Keys is playing better than her better and breaks her for 6-1 2-0. And on Armstrong, Vondrousova consolidates then makes 0-30 then, at 30-40, Stearns swipes a forehand wide, and that’s the double break! This match feels over, the Wimbledon champ leading 3-0 in the third.
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Stearns takes a break between sets and finds herself advantage down, second serve, when she returns, kit changed. This time, her delivery is better, and a backhand down the line facilitates a big forehand that Vondrousova can’t return, then Vondrousova nets having earned another break point. Stearns, though, swiftly hands her another, and though she finds a fine first serve as she again seeks to save herself, when she comes in for the putaway, Vondrousova guesses right and thwacks a backhand into the open space for a 1-0 third-set lead.
Pegula, meanwhile, is improving a little holding twice, and now trails Keys 1-6 2-2.
At 40-15, Vondrosova – who has what looks like a shoulder issue and whose serve has consequently dropped in pace – directs an ace out wide, clinching the set, and at 6-7 6-3 we now have ourselves a decider. Stearns 7-6(3) 3-6 Vondrousova
In typical style, Keys stutters to deuce, but then uncorks a prodigious and flat forehand that’s too hot for Pegula, who then goes long on the return, and that’s a 6-1 set for Keys! Can she stay calm with the last eight within sight? And on Ashe, Vondrousova spanks back a 77mph second serve – in the middle of the box, too – that gives her 0-40, and moments later she’s serving for a decider at 5-3. The standard of this one has dropped in the second set.
Actually that’s unfair, it’s Keys charging away from her – but Vondrousova can’t manage similar, allowing just as tame a break as Stearns allowed her, and we’re back on serve in set two, the American having taken the first.
Stearns nets a forehand to go down 15-30, the a backhand and Vodrousova has two break points without having done very much, and shortly afterwards she secures a 4-2 lead. On Ashe, meanwhile, Keys makes advantage only to botch her return on 78mph serve; that’s old Maddy, is that. But Pegula can’t punish her, cedes the break eventually, and finds herself 5-1 down, the set charging away from her.
Keys is playing beautifully and it’s so good to see. She’s hitting is hard, but what’s really impressive is her lengths; she leads 4-1. Meantime, on Armstrong, a bit forehand earns Stearns 30-40, then she skips in to caress a winner that breaks the sideline and at 3-2 we’re back on serve in the second, Stearns having taken the first 7-6.
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Keys and Vondrousova both consolidate, Vondrousova cementing her hold with an ace down the middle. She was poor in the breaker but is dominating now as Stearns handles the emotional dump of taking it.
And Keys breaks too, leading Pegula 2-0; she’s starting to do well in every slam, which shows significant progression.
“Last five service games all held to 30,” points out Jim Brady. “Not sure what the odds of that are, but it suggests there is not much in this.”
And there isn’t – in theory, because Stearns is a set up, which if course is a lot in a three-set match. But as I type, Vondrousova – who held at the start of set two – breaks and now trails 6-7 2-0.
Keys and Pegula are away, Keys holding for 1-0. It may be that Keys’ time has passed her by, not because she can’t improve but because the era of all manner of player winning majors has gone. Pegula, meanwhile, probably doesn’t quite have the weapons to beat the best when it really matters.
And when Vondrousova skips in to attack a short ball, she flaps a forehand long and Stearns leads by one set to love! Stearns 7-6(3) Vondrousova
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Stearns opens with an ace, then wins the longest rally of the match – 19 shots – for 2-2. And she takes the first mini-break at 4-2, improving her position to 5-3 and slamming down an ace for 6-3 as I try to get Pegula v Keyes working.
Vondrousova now holds to 30, and after 51 minutes, we’ve got that breaker. Here it comes!
Vondrousova makes Stearns fight for her hold, but she clinches it to 30, clenching fist and grimacing. It’s the older woman now playing the better stuff, but in a breaker I’d always fancy the bigger hitter – but first, Vondrousova has to force one.
Vondrousova looks into this but then at 30-0 sends down a double prior to overhitting a forehand. Then, when she makes 40-30 the roof closes – there’s rain about – which I imagine will help Stearns, who hits it harder. But a fine forehand pass down the line, after Stearns doesn’t do enough with her approach, takes us to 5-5.
Vondrousova levels it up at 4-4, then Stearns tamely nets a forehand that gives her a sniff at 40-30; no matter. She quickly finishes her final game-point with a forehand meaning her opponent must now serv at 4-5 to stay in the first set.
Righto, first test: Vondrousova makes 15-40 and breaking here, without really having started playing, would be typical her. And when Stearns nets a forehand, we’re back on serve and she leads 4-3.
Vondrousova has to plough through deuce for her latest hold – she trails 4-2 – and the look on her coupon suggests she’s a little befuddled, whether by Stearns or the intense heat. Laura Robson was saying she thinks Stearns will become one of the best players in the world and you can see the mental aspect of endeavour and entitlement is right there.
Nice from Steans, who finds herself down 0-30 after Vondrousova flattens things out but responds to take the game from there. She really knows what' she’s doing and it’s the Wimbledon champ trying to work her out while she plays her natural game.
One of the more adorable sorry not sorries.
Jelena Ostapenko had a hilarious exchange with Polish media after beating Iga Swiatek:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 4, 2023
“I apologize if I’m a bit upset bc you ousted our champion..”
Jelena: “I’m sorry” 😂 pic.twitter.com/BMFuYaOuAW
Already, Vondrousova is mixing it up, taking pace off in a bid to quell Stearns’ fire. I imagine she’ll also target the backhand as it’s the weaker flank and she’s a lefty, but so far it’s not yet the case. Vondrousova holds to 30 and is on the board at 1-3.
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Of course, after the elimination of Swiatek, all the players left in the draw will be looking at who’s left and wondering if this might be for them. Strangely, Coco Gauff is now favourite according to my bookie – I’d back Sabalenka, who’ll now be world no1 at the end of this, because I don’t think anyone has an answer to her power-game. Stearns consolidates – through deuce, but still looking good – to lead 3-0.
A double and a forehand winner help Stearns to 15-40, and though she then goes long, Vondrousova doesn’t do enough with a short ball so winds up swiping wide after Steanrs leaps back into the rally. The youngster breaks and leads 2-0.
Stearns opens with an ace down the T, then ends a rally with a terrific shoulder-high backhand down the line. She holds to 30 and looks nicely settled.
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And away we go, Stearns to serve.
Vondrousova’s lost just 10 games in making it to here – again, unnoticed, having not yet played on Ashe – and looks so calm. Stearns, on the other hand, is a proper old skool-style competitor, and will doubtless be noising herself up with the Labor Day crowd behind her.
Sterans and Vondrousova make their way onto court, and play is but a few moments away.
I mentioned Ostapenko below, and here she is explaining how she beat Iga Swiatek last evening. When she’s playing well, I’m not sure there’s anyone I’d rather watch, and even when not, her commitment to leaving it all out there is a lot of what I love about sport.
Jelena Ostapenko says Iga Swiatek doesn’t like playing big hitters:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 4, 2023
“I think the main thing is she doesn’t really like to play big hitters. She likes to have some time. When I play fast, aggressive, & powerful, she’s a little bit in trouble.” pic.twitter.com/iVJPOUmmrD
Preamble
What’s up dudes! Welcome to the US Open 2023 – day eight!
And what a day this promises to be. We begin on Armstrong with Marketa Vondrousova, the Wimbledon champion, who meets Peyton Stearns, the 21-year-old American. Though Stearns has made it this far without facing a seed, she beat Jelena Ostapenko – the woman of the moment and former French Open winner – at Roland-Garros, and nothing we know of her suggests she’ll shrink on the big occasion.
An hour later, we get going on Ashe, where Madison Keys – who’s sat about watching worse players win majors – meets Jessica Pegula knowing that if she brings her best self, she almost definitely wins and, –with the winner of the first match waiting in the quarters – has a decent shot at that too. Pegula, meanwhile, upped it in the decider to beat Elina Svitolina in the last round and, in the form of her life, will be desperate to improve on her last-eight Grand Slam best.
Following them, Carlos Alcaraz meets Matteo Arnaldi, the young conqueror of Cameron Norrie who’s also beaten Casper Ruud on clay. If it seems unlikely he can upset the world number one, second on Armstrong offers a better chance of a surprise with Jack Draper facing Andrey Rublev, another who, like Pegula, is established among the elite but struggling to take the next step.
And still there’s more! Third on Armstrong isOns Jabeur, who continues her quest for a major, any major, against Qinwen Zheng, before the day sesh concludes with Daniil Medvedev’s match against Alex de Minaur. Let’s go dudes!
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