Alex de Minaur has ensured at least one Australian will reach the quarterfinals of the US Open after producing his best form for the tournament to dismiss English veteran Dan Evans on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday night.
De Minaur's Historic Run
He lost to Andrey Rublev in the 4th Rd at Melbourne Park and Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros in a quarterfinal before withdrawing from another quarter against Novak Djokovic due to a hip injury that also forced him out of the singles at the Olympics.
“I am super proud of what I have been able to achieve this year. It has been tough coming back from injury, but I am so happy to be back in New York playing these types of matches. Let’s keep it going,” he said.
It is also the first time since 1988 in New York, when Darren Cahill, John Frawley and Mark Woodforde reached the last 16, that three Australian men have reached this stage of the US Open.
“It is so good for Australian tennis to show what we are capable of. Alexie putting on a show against Novak, Jordan is playing incredible tennis. It is a shame we have to play each other. And we are all from Sydney. There is something special there,” de Minaur said.
Evans's Struggle and De Minaur's Dominance
While de Minaur arrived at Flushing Meadows under an injury cloud after withdrawing from a Wimbledon quarterfinal against Novak Djokovic with a hip injury, it was his rival Evans who ended the match in significant discomfort, which explains the blowout.
The first two sets of the 3rd Rd match were of the highest quality, with both men showcasing their final all-court talent, which made for a compelling clash. But after winning a particularly physical second set, Evans was breathing heavily as he sat courtside.
After defeating Karen Khachanov in 5hr 35min, the longest US Open match in history, on Tuesday, Evans body gave way and he received treatment to his hip throughout the third set as his movement and level of play deteriorated.
“I think the first thing we should show is a lot of respect to Dan,” de Minaur said on court.
“He is the ultimate competitor. He could have easily pulled out. The body was obviously not feeling well, but he stayed out there and tried his best. I really appreciate it.
“We have had some great battles and obviously he has gotten the better of me on every occasion, so I was happy I was able to get one on the board.”
Thompson's Triumph and an All-Australian Battle
In the midst of the best season of his career, Thompson reached the second week of a grand slam for just the second time in his career with a superb performance against Italian Matteo Arnaldi at the US Open earlier on Saturday.
The 30-year-old, who defeated the 30th seed 7-5 6-2 7-6 (5) in 2hr 33min, has one win from five outing against the Australian No.1 but said it would be “unreal” if his compatriot won given what it would mean for Australian tennis.
“If he gets through, it would be for sure an Aussie in the quarters. I hope that it is me,” he said.
“(But) I will be recovering. I won’t be looking on. I’ll leave that to my coach (Marinko Matosevic).”
Thompson, who broke through for his first ATP Tour title in Mexico earlier this year and then reached the semifinals at Queens in June, has played superbly to date in New York with victories over world No.7 Hubert Hurkacz and Frenchman Constant Letienne.
Despite missing a seeding by one spot, the Sydneysider has demonstrated over the first week at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre that he is in the form of his life and played a well-rounded match to defeat Arnaldi, whose partner is from Melbourne.
Thompson's Determination and Rise to Success
Little separated the pair, who are split in the rankings by just two positions, throughout the first set until Thompson conjured a superb defensive point with Arnaldi serving at 5-all.
Showing great movement and touch, the right-hander turned a defensive position into an opportunity with a superb lob and after finishing the point with a backhand volley, held two break points.
After breaking his rival, he pumped his fist in delight at supporters including Australia’s Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt.
With his confidence surging, Thompson was the dominant player in the second set. Arnaldi’s frustration became evident late in the piece when he lashed out at a drive volley, thundering a forehand drive in fury in a sign the Aussie’s precision was driving him mad.
In the box position to reach the last 16, Thompson’s concentration dipped in the middle stages of the set when he dropped serve for the first time to trail 2-4. But he was able to retrieve the service break immediately and, in the tiebreaker, rallied from a slow start to triumph.
Thompson, who will break into the top 30 for the first time as a result of his triumph, has no doubt he is in the best form of his career.
“It was a great match from me. The third round is pressure. I have not been there too much in my career,” he said.
“I was getting a little bit agitated there ... but I dealt with a really well and came out on top. It is really pleasing to win under lights in New York on a Saturday night.
“I think (I am playing at my peak). It is hard to argue with. I feel like I am getting better as I get older. It is definitely the best I have been playing in my career and my results and ranking dictate that.”
Sinner's Dominance and Australian Hopes Dashed
Earlier on Saturday, fellow Australian Chris O’Connell fell short in his bid to further rock the US Open to the core on Saturday just over 16 hours after Alexei Popyrin ousted a legend on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Carlos Alcaraz had been stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in New York on Thursday night. Popyrin knocked out Novak Djokovic 24 hours later at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre.
O'Connell's Tough Encounter with a Resurgent Sinner
O’Connell had watched the other two champions ousted and, with a win over Sinner to his belt, said he “had to believe” he could continue the upset streak. But reality hit swiftly.
“He was really on fire,” he said.
“I just felt a little bit clueless, to be honest. I mean, I didn’t get a look at his service games. Every single point, once I got into a rally, with every single shot I just felt like I had to do something with it, because he was just on me. He was suffocating me.”
O’Connell, who has now reached the 3rd Rd in Flushing Meadows twice, was mindful of the enormity of the task confronting him having twice played the Italian.
He was too good for Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, when they met in Atlanta two years ago at a time when there were still a couple of rough edges to the Italian diamond.
But when they clashed in Miami earlier this year, with Sinner now heading the world rankings, the errors flew less frequently from the racquet of the player who is now the clear favourite for the US Open.
It proved a similar case on Saturday, for while O’Connell enjoyed some strong moments against Sinner in the second set, the Italian was largely saintly throughout. And he said the 23-year-old was even better now than what he was when they played in Florida.
“He’s a completely different player. I mean, the Miami version of him compared to here, that was definitely the best tennis player I have ever played (today),” O’Connell said.
“He hit his serve so well and I could not read it at all. But the biggest thing for me was that when I put the ball into the open court, I feel like I get a weaker reply from some of these other players, but it comes back way bigger from him.
“He is so good out wide. I couldn’t believe how strong and powerful some of the shots were that he hit from out wide. That was the thing that really struck me.”
Sinner plays American No. 14 seed Tommy Paul on Monday for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Draper's Impressive Run Continues
Botic van de Zandschulp, meanwhile, was unable to back-up his giant-killing deeds.
He was well beaten by rising English star Jack Draper, a left-handed of immense promise who defeated Alcaraz at Queens a fortnight before the Spaniard successfully defended his Wimbledon crown.
Highlighting the fact no two tennis matches are the same, the Dutchman went from proving a world-beater on Thursday night to serving five double faults in succession across two service games on Saturday when beaten 6-4 6-3 6-2.
Draper will play Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic for a spot in the last 16.
Women's Quarterfinal Contenders
In other third round results on Day 6 of the US Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini claimed her 18th win in a major for the year with a 6-3 6-4 win over Yulia Putintseva. Only Alcaraz has won more grand slam matches this year.
No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula continued her resurgence through the North American summer with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Jessica Bouzas Maniero.
She next faces Diana Shnaider, who has risen impressively up the ranking this year, was a dominant 6-2 6-2 winner over Italian veteran Sara Errani.
Former Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova continues to shine on the comeback trail. She dismissed Anastasia Potapova 6-4 6-2 in superb fashion and will play Paolini on Monday for a spot in the quarterfinals.
