US Open Day 6 Review

Norrie was the only seed to fall on a relatively quiet day 6 of the US Open.

The 16th seed was beaten in straights by 61st ranked Arnaldi.

Otherwise, the top seeds prevailed. Alcaraz saw off Evans in four. Medvedev straight setted Baez. Sinner overcame Wawrinka in four. Rublev did the same versus Rinderknech. de Minaur won convincingly over Jarry.

Perhaps the most noteworthy victory was Draper’s beating of Mmoh, in four. Draper plays such solid text book attacking tennis and looked far more seasoned than his injury prone self really is.

The most entertaining match of the day, well for two sets anyway, was Dimitrov vs Zverev. It pains me to say Zverev won in four. The first two sets were a shot-makers delight, the two splitting them in tiebreaks, with Dimitrov creating plays and hitting winners on the run. The Bulgarian lost the second set and then went away, seemingly hampered by injury and a Zverev on the up.

The men’s top half last sixteen looks as follows:

Alcaraz vs Arnaldi

Zverev vs Sinner

Medvedev vs di Minaur

Draper vs Rublev

Not stellar by any means but vaguely intriguing, particularly Zverev vs Sinner and Draper vs Rublev.

In the women’s, Jabeur scraped past Bouzkova in 3. Jabeur really bought some excellent shot-making to the match when she was on the verge of defeat in set 2. This was a gritty performance by a player not ruined by her recent slam final disappointments but energised to redeem herself.

Keys came back from a set down to Samsonova. The American’s higher seeded rival seemed troubled by injury and Keys took advantage to make the fourth round.

The ever under the radar, even at her home slam, Pegula fought off Svitolina in three. Zheng also went the distance as she beat Bronzetti.

Kasatkina and Stearns straight setted Minnen and Boulter respectively.

Sabalenka crushed Burel, dropping just two games.

The most remarkable victory for me was Vondrousova over Alexandrova 2 and 1. The Wimbledon champion is unbothered by expectation and has dropped just ten games on her way to the last sixteen.

The women’s bottom half fourth round looks like this:

Stearns Vs Vondrousova

Keys vs Pegula

Jabeur vs Zheng

Kasatkina vs Sabalenka

Nothing that will keep me glued to my TV in the middle of the night, but Keys vs Pegula could be good and I will be interested to see how Jabeur deals with the very dangerous Zheng. Perhaps it will be a late one after all.