There have been extra surprises on Friday in New York as Novak Djokovic’s quest for a twenty fifth Grand Slam was put to mattress by Alexei Popyrin after he shocked the Serb in 4 units to blow the underside part of the draw broad open.
I had my doubts that Djokovic would be capable of discover his greatest tennis in New York after his exploits on the Olympics, and I imagined he’d run out of gasoline later down the road. Nonetheless, I didn’t foresee his serve being so out of kilter, and his three matches at Flushing Meadows produced 32 double faults and confirmed that his tank was working on empty, nor did he fairly have that trademark burning want to battle to the bitter finish.
There was loads of drama elsewhere, with two prolonged five-setters as Frances Tiafoe took out Ben Shelton in 5 earlier than Casper Ruud mounted a comeback from two units all the way down to see off Jerry Shang.
Day 5 US Open 2024 Spherical of 32 Outcomes
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Casper Ruud (8) | Jerry Shang | 6-7(1) 3-6 6-0 6-3 6-1 |
| Taylor Fritz (12) | Francisco Comesana | 6-3 6-4 6-2 |
| Brandon Nakashima | Lorenzo Musetti (18) | 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-4 (4) |
| Alexander Zverev (4) | Tomas Martin Etcheverry | 5-7 7-5 6-1 6-3 |
| Andrey Rublev (6) | Jiri Lehecka (32) | 6-3 7-5 6-4 |
| Grigor Dimitrov (9) | Tallon Griekspoor | 6-3 6-3 6-1 |
| Frances Tiafoe (20) | Ben Shelton (13) | 4-6 7-5 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3 |
| Alexei Popryin | Novak Djokovic (2) | 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 |
Popyrin Pops Djokovic Bubble
The US Open isn’t carried out with large upsets but. Simply 24 hours after Carlos Alcaraz was despatched packing, Alexei Popyrin dispatched Djokovic in 4 units, profitable 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a strong show of tennis that included 50 winners.
Popyrin has at all times had the massive ball putting, and after he lastly pieced issues collectively in Montreal, he’s been capable of keep a excessive degree of relentless hitting all through his matches.
Whereas the win was a lot of his personal doing, he was considerably aided by Djokovic’s erratic efficiency. The Olympic champion hadn’t served effectively in both of his opening matches, and it went to an excellent worse degree on Friday, producing 14 double faults on this one.
Should you take away these from the stats, abruptly, the match is far nearer, and there are doubtless some tie-break units in there, which Djoker usually excels in, however to donate three video games price of double faults, you’re going through an uphill battle, much more so in case your opponent is taking part in effectively.
Third time fortunate [this year], I assume. Truthfully, we had some battles on the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my possibilities in these matches however didn’t take them. This match was just a little completely different. I used to be capable of take my possibilities once I had them and performed some good tennis. It’s unbelievable as a result of I’ve been within the third spherical about 15 occasions in my profession, however I haven’t been capable of get previous to the fourth spherical. To have the ability to do it towards the best of all time to get into the fourth spherical is unbelievable. It’s an amazing feeling and the arduous work has paid off. Popyrin on his win.
Congratulations to him and his workforce. He performed higher and deserved to win at this time. On my finish, actually, the way in which I felt and the way in which I performed from the start of this match, third spherical is successful. I imply, I’ve performed among the worst tennis I’ve ever performed; actually, serving by far the worst ever.” Should you play on a fast floor like this with out the serve, with out [the] potential to win free factors there, very low first-serve share, many double faults, then you possibly can’t win. You may’t win, particularly towards the fellows who’re in type like Alexei who’s serving huge, places lots of strain in your service sport. Yeah, it was simply an terrible match for me. Djokovic on his loss.
Tiafoe Tops Shelton
Frances Tiafoe has discovered his type at simply the suitable time this season, securing a dramatic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ben Shelton.
The American has had a subpar twelve months, however with a brand new coach in tow, he made the ultimate in Cincinnati and is now within the fourth spherical in New York.
As you’d count on, the match was performed in entrance of a vigorous New York crowd, and each guys had that swashbuckling shotmaking fashion to stir them up.
Nonetheless, Tiafoe appeared to carry extra focus over the length. He stayed sharp over the 5 units and will go level for level quite than dwelling on a few of his missed alternatives.
Huge Foe additionally created 21 breakpoints, which isn’t simple on a giant lefty serve like Shelton’s, and he’s into the fourth spherical on the US Open for a fifth straight 12 months.
First off, I gotta say, Ben’s an unimaginable participant. He actually is. He goes for every kind of pictures, he’s acquired no care on the planet, it’s actually annoying. He’s acquired an amazing serve. He has nice power out right here. He can give you nice pictures, so can I. We each transfer very well. So its simply spotlight after spotlight. I actually hope you guys loved the present. Frances Tiafoe on his win.
Different Matches of Observe
Dimitrov Grooves Previous Griekspoor: Ninth-seeded Dimitrov defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in a 99-minute match with out going through a break level. He has not dropped a set in the course of the match up to now and, with the draw broad open, will fancy his probabilities of making the latter phases.
Rublev Rallies Spherical Lehecka: After his comeback from two units down towards Arthur Rinderknech, Andrey Rublev secured his fourth-round spot on the US Open with an easy victory over Jiri Lehecka, profitable 89% of factors behind his first serve. 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
Zverev Overcomes Etcheverry: Alexander Zverev overcame a difficult begin in defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina. After shedding the primary set 5-7 and trailing 2-4 within the second, Zverev rallied to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 in three hours and 36 minutes. The match completed at 2.35 am, which was a joke in my view and the second newest in match historical past.
Nakashima Beats Mussetti: Brandon Nakashima is an American in type, and I might simply see him breaking the highest 30/20 based mostly on what I see. He performed properly on Friday, overcoming a 0-4 deficit within the fourth set to pressure a tiebreak earlier than defeating Lorenzo Musetti, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). He’ll face Zverev subsequent, which could be a step too far, however you possibly can’t write him off.
Ruud Fights Off Shang: After being two units down, Casper Ruud made a dramatic comeback to defeat Shang Juncheng 6-7(1), 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1. The 2022 US Open finalist initially struggled along with his serve however turned the match round within the third set by profitable it 6-0. The Norwegian’s superior bodily potential proved the distinction as he wore down Shang.
Fritz Cracks Comesana: Taylor Fritz defeated Argentina’s Francisco Comesana in straight units, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the fourth spherical. Fritz proved too highly effective for the much less skilled Argentine, and he’s the primary American since Andre Agassi in 2003 to achieve the fourth spherical in any respect 4 majors in a single season.
US Open Day 6 Spherical of 32 Matches
- Jannik Sinner (1) vs Christopher O’Connell
- Gabriel Diallo (Q) vs Tommy Paul (14)
- Nuno Borges vs Jakub Mensik
- Flavio Cobolli (31) vs Daniil Medvedev (5)
- Botic van de Zandschulp vs Jack Draper (25)
- David Goffin vs Tomas Machac
- Alex de Minaur (10) vs Dan Evans
- Matteo Arnaldi (30) vs Jordan Thompson