Nadal struggled with problems from the first set, even disappearing from the pitch twice for minutes, probably to take care of his aching foot (note: the Spaniard suffers from Müller-Weiss syndrome). The 36-year-old was able to win the second set, but in the end he was still inferior, he led 3-1 in the fourth set with a break, but then didn’t play a game anymore. In the same set, Tiafoe also showed nerves for a moment, but quickly recovered and advanced to the quarterfinals.
A milestone for the 24-year-old, who cried tears of joy after the handshake with Nadal. Tiafoe is the first American to reach the fourth round of the Grand Slam tournament three years in a row since Mardy Fish from 2010-2012 and also the youngest American to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2006.
Rublev as the next opponent
There Tiafoe meets Andrei Rublew, who reached the quarterfinals for the sixth time at a major tournament and for the third time at the US Open on Monday. The 24-year-old Russian safely eliminated the number seven seeded British player Cameron Norrie 6:4 6:4 6:4 after almost two and a half hours. Rublev has his third chance at the semifinals in New York after 2017 and 2020.
“It was hard. I played a good match. He was a bit tired, that helped me. I’m very happy,” said Rublew, who impressed with 30 winners and only 17 unforced errors. It is already the second major quarterfinal this year after the French Open for the Muscovite, who, like his compatriot Daniil Medvedev, was not allowed to play in Wimbledon because of the Ukraine war.
Swiatek continues with a set loss
With a lot of effort, the top seeded Pole Iga Swiatek then prevailed against the unseeded German Jule Niemeier with 2:6 6:4 6:0. The sensational Wimbledon quarter-finalist this year from Dortmund was well on course for the round of eight in Flushing Meadows. She led against Swiatek 6: 2 2: 1 and break, but then the French Open winner, who was already so strong this year, caught herself. After a total of seven breaks in the second round, she equalized in sets. But then Niemeier had shot her powder and finally went under.
“I’m proud that I haven’t lost hope. She played a great first set,” Swiatek said on the court. She now meets American Jessica Pegula. The Czech and two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova had unexpectedly eliminated them 6:3 6:2. Swiatek is in the quarterfinals of the US Open for the first time, it’s her third in a major this year.
US Open in New York
(USA, 27.915.200 Dollar, Hardcourt)
