Wednesday 27 / November / 2024
WASHINGTON: The men's and women's singles last 16 lineup of the U.S. Open was finalised on Saturday, with Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula advancing strongly on the women's side, while Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev will once again make their charge for the men's title.
Top-seeded Swiatek defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-2. "I gave myself time and acceptance that it may not be perfect, but step by step I can, as you said, have better focus and have better mindset. Today it was for sure a little bit better," Swiatek said.
Meanwhile, American player Pegula swiftly defeated Spanish youngster Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 6-3, with a potential quarterfinal clash with Swiatek on the horizon.
As China's Zheng Qinwen and Donna Vekic of Croatia had advanced on Friday, the Paris Olympic medalists have secured their spots in the women's last 16 at the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Current world number one Sinner advanced smoothly with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Australian Christopher O'Connell, and will next face American player Tommy Paul.
"Everything can happen in this sport. I try to stay on my side of the net and try to take it day by day," the Italian said when asked about Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's early exits.
2021 winner and last year's finalist Medvedev also made into the round of 16, outplaying Flavio Cobolli of Italy 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
With prominent names as Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud and Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16, it is expected to be wide open contention for the men's title this year.
China's Zheng Qinwen reached the US Open quarterfinals for the second consecutive time with a victory over Donna Vekic of Croatia on Monday.
The 21-year-old Chinese prospect won 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-2 against her 24th-ranked opponent, whom she also defeated in the Paris Olympics gold medal match.
"It's two o'clock in the morning, it's incredible. Thanks to the fans who have stayed to support me," said Zheng.
Zheng will next face world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated her in the Australian Open final in January.
Another Chinese player, Wang Yafan, lost to Spain's Paula Badosa 6-1, 6-2 in the fourth round.
Defending champion Coco Gauff fell to her American teammate Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the fourth round.
"I gave it my all. Obviously there were things execution-wise, where I was like, I wish I could serve better. I think if I did that, it would have been a different story," said third-ranked Gauff.
Ninth seed Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria cruised past Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3 to return to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019.
Fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev of Germany made his fourth quarterfinal by beating Brandon Nakashima of the United States, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
