One day after Alexei Popyrin's remarkable achievement against arguably the greatest player of all time, Australian tennis continues to thrive as an all-Aussie affair will take place in the fourth round between Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson at the US Open.
Earlier in the day session on Grandstand, Thompson broke the trend of struggling to come back to earth after a massive victory, in this case, seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz, knocking out world No.33 Matteo Arnaldi 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(5).
The man from Sydney managed to win 83 per cent of points behind his first serve, which included four consecutive service games held to love in the second set.
Thompson will enter the round of 16 full of confidence having not dropped one set all tournament - broken three times in his first three rounds combined. He also guarantees his equal-best Grand Slam run at the same event in 2020.
The 30-year-old will face Alex de Minaur after the 10th seed won 12 straight games against a depleted Dan Evans to triumph 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-0.
The first two hours produced scintillating tennis as the pair exchanged moments of brilliance both from the baseline and at the net, offering the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium highlights to savour.
However, after Evans clinched the second set tiebreak, the Brit's body broke down despite physio treatment and extended breaks.
In the opening round, the former world No.21 participated in the longest-ever match in US Open history against Karen Khachanov, lasting five hours and 35 minutes as Evans persevered in a five-set classic.
That ultimately impacted Evans' ability to keep the contest competitive, moving gingerly as he accumulated a total of 17 points in sets three and four, allowing de Minaur to survive unscathed.
Although relieved that he managed to topple Evans for the first time in five meetings, the 25-year-old Aussie began his on-court interview by acknowledging his opponent's efforts.
"The first thing we should show is a lot of respect to Dan. he's the ultimate competitor," de Minaur said. "He could've easily pulled out, the body obviously wasn't feeling well, but he stayed out there and tried his best, so I really appreciate it.
An inevitable fourth round appearance at Flushing Meadows means the two-time Newcombe medalist is the first Australian male to reach the second week of every Grand Slam for the first time since Lleyton Hewitt achieved the feat in 2004.
"I'm super proud of what I've been able to achieve his year," confessed de Minaur. "It's been tough coming back from injury, but I'm so happy to be back here in New York playing these kinds of matches."
Meanwhile, top seed Jannik Sinner outclassed Aussie journeyman Christopher O'Connell on Arthur Ashe Stadium in straight sets in a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory.
“That was definitely the best tennis player I have ever played,” O’Connell told tennis journalist Craig Gabriel.
“I’m really happy with it. I feel like I’m starting to play the tennis I was sort of playing at the start of the year. That’s what I hope to continue with for the rest of the year.”
Aussie Men's Doubles Results:
Rajeev Ram/Joe Salisbury [3] def. Rinky Hijikata (AUS)/Lloyd Glasspool 6-3, 7-6(11)
Aussie Women's Doubles Results:
Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez [5] def. Viktorija Golubic/Tara Moore 6-2, 6-3
Aussie Mixed Doubles Results:
Matt Ebden (AUS)/Barbora Krejčiková [4] def. Kaylan Bigun/Iva Jović 6-2, 6-3
Rohan Bopanna/Aldila Sutjiadi [8] def. John Peers (AUS)/Katerina Siniaková 0-6, 7-6(5), 10-7
Comments