US Open: Djokovic Marches On, Ostapenko Knocks Out Swiatek
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic continued his march towards a 24th Grand Slam crown at the US Open, while Iga Swiatek’s title defence and reign as world number one came to an end after a shock loss to Jelena Ostapenko.
Djokovic, 36, took another confident step towards that objective on Sunday, easing past Croatia’s Borna Gojo 6-2 7-5 6-4 to reach the Flushing Meadows quarter-finals for the 13th time.
There will be a new men’s world number one as well, with Djokovic retaking top spot, but the Serb’s primary goal remains a fourth US Open title that would see him match Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams.
Iga Swiatek Vs Jelena Ostapenko
Swiatek’s 3-6 6-3 6-1 fourth-round defeat brought the day to a stunning conclusion but it was not a surprise to some, with Ostapenko extending her domination over the Pole having won all four career meetings.
Swiatek’s defeat means a new US Open women’s champion will be crowned next Saturday and when the world rankings are updated on September 11th, it will be Aryna Sabalenka’s name at the top of the list.
For the first time since 2005, there will be three American men in the last eight, with Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton all posting last 16 wins.
And there is certain to be at least one US man through to the semi-finals after Tiafoe swatted aside Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata 6-4 6-1 6-4 and Shelton beat compatriot Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 to set up a last eight all-American clash.
Fritz, who has not yet dropped a set, advanced with a tidy 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker. His reward? A last eight meeting with Djokovic.
American Coco Gauff was the first US woman into the last eight, ending Caroline Wozniacki’s return to Flushing Meadows 6-3 3-6 6-1 and was probably preparing for a showdown with Swiatek, until Ostapenko rewrote the script.
Top ranked US woman Jessica Pegula, 2017 finalist Madison Keys and Peyton Stearns will all have their opportunity to join Gauff on Monday when they play their fourth-round matches.
