NEW YORK – Team Yonex enters the second week of the US Open fortnight with the conclusion of the third round.
Survive and advance
[4] Naomi Osaka (JPN) survived a tough test from 18-year-old Marta Kostyuk in the third round. After splitting the first two sets, Osaka found herself down 1-2, 0-40 but managed to save five breakpoints to even the deciding set. That game proved to be the most important, as Osaka reeled off the next four games to advance with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 victory.
Down 2-5 in the 4th set, [12] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) clawed his way back to force a tiebreaker and eventually a fifth set against American Taylor Fritz. The young Canadian ran away with the final set, advancing to the second week of a major for the second time in his career.
Clean slate
[17] Angelique Kerber’s (GER) last-minute decision to play in this year’s US Open has paid off. Kerber has yet to drop a set through the first three rounds. The German will play one of the hottest players since the return of tennis – Jennifer Brady, who has won 9 of her last 10 matches – for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Feeling fresh
Frances Tiafoe (USA) showed no signs of fatigue after his five-set match in the second round. Tiafoe was 6 for 9 on breakpoint opportunities and limited his unforced errors to advance in less than two hours, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Tiafoe will play [3] Daniil Medvedev on Monday.
Fast Facts
Kerber has returned to the second week at the US Open for the first time since she won the title in 2016.
Shapovalov is the only men’s player remaining in both singles and doubles.
Tiafoe is the last American man remaining at the US Open.
Results
[12] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) | VCORE / POLYTOUR STRIKE def. Taylor Fritz (USA), 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2
Frances Tiafoe (USA) | VCORE PRO / POLYTOUR PRO def. Marton Fucsovics (HUN) | EZONE / POLYTOUR PRO, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2
[17] Angelique Kerber (GER) | VCORE / POLYTOUR FIRE def. Ann Li, 6-3, 6-4
[4] Naomi Osaka (JPN) | EZONE / POLYTOUR STRIKE def. Marta Kostyuk (UKR), 6-3, 6-7, 6-2
