Serena Williams and Andy Murray are still resisting, Moutet offers himself a seed… What to remember from Wednesday

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She plays overtime. Serena Williams qualified for the third round of the US Open, Wednesday August 31, by dismissing in an atmosphere of fire the world number 2, the Estonian Anett. Among the French, Corentin Moutet beat Botic van de Zandschulp, seeded number 21, while Caroline Garcia easily won against Russian Anna Kalinskaya (60th). On the other hand, Hugo Grenier, Arthur Rinderknech and Benjamin Bonzi fell on stronger than them, beaten respectively by Matteo Berrettini, Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios. Also note the surprise outings of Felix Auger-Aliassime, 8th in the world and semi-finalist in 2021, and Maria Sakkari (n°3).

Williams extends farewell

A great performance by Serena Williams. For what will certainly be her last Grand Slam, the 40-year-old American won, after a battle of almost 2h30, against the world number 2, the Estonian Anett Kontaveit (7-6, 2 -6, 6-2). Entering the Arthur-Ashe court to a loud ovation from the public, Williams once again demonstrated her talents as a champion.

The Estonian, who was coming out of a long Covid, was not as tender as Danka Kovinic and contained the power of the American, returning her blow for blow. But it was Williams who took the lead, finishing the first set tie-break with an ace. Extinguished in the second round, she immediately took the lead in the final set, breaking the world number 2 from the start before breaking away irretrievably. “I feel like I’ve already won, figuratively speaking, in my mind”, Williams said after his win. In the next round, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, who now ranks 605th in the WTA, will face Australian Ajla Tomljanovic (46th).

Garcia easy against Kalinskaya

She continues on her way. Caroline Garcia, French number 1 and seeded number 17, quietly dismissed Russian Anna Kalinskaya (60th) in just over an hour (6-3, 6-1). Solid in service and powerful from the first strokes of the racquet, the 28-year-old Frenchwoman left her opponent no chance.

For a place in the round of 16, Garcia will face Canadian Bianca Andreescu (48th), winner at Flushing Meadows in 2019. The Lyonnaise, who arrived in New York crowned with her title at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati, is full of confidence and has good plans. join the second week of the American Grand Slam for the first time in her career – she who has never passed the third round of the Major in ten appearances.

Moutet back in the third round, Grenier, Bonzi and Rinderknech eliminated

Like two years ago, Corentin Moutet joined the 3rd round at Flushing Meadows, equaling his best Grand Slam performance. The Frenchman came out of a strong poster this time, winning against Botic van de Zandschulp, seeded number 21. The latter was ejected in four sets (6-4, 1-6, 6- 2, 6-4). His next match, against Pedro Cachin, may give him the right to dream of a dream course.

It’s over, however, for the beautiful story of Hugo Grenier, another lucky loser, who pushed Matteo Berrettini to his limits before giving in in four sets (2-6, 6-1, 7-6, 7-6). Similar scenario for Benjamin Bonzi: the 50th player in the world took a set from Nick Kyrgios, seeded number 23, before losing 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. “His level was incredible, I did not expect such a war. I had to play very risky tennis”, admitted the Australian who was very happy to have scored 30 aces during the game. Finally, Arthur Rinderknech could not do anything against world number 1 and defending champion Daniil Medvedev (6-2, 7-5, 6-3).

Auger-Aliassime and Sakkari, this way to the exit

It was the surprise rout of the night: the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded number 6 and outgoing semi-finalist, was eliminated in the second round by the Briton Jack Draper (53rd) in three straight sets (6- 4, 6-4, 6-4). A defeat with serious consequences for the 22-year-old player, since hel will leave the Top 10 after the tournament. For his part, Draper who, at the age of 20, is participating in his first New York Major, will face the Russian Karen Khachanov (31st) for a place in the round of 16.

Maria Sakkari could not avoid defeat either. After a tight first round to dismiss the modest Tatjana Maria, the third player in the world was this time dominated by Xiyu Wang (3-6, 7-5, 7-5). The 21-year-old Chinese knocked out Diane Parry in the first round. No odds on the other hand for Ons Jabeur (n°5) or Coco Gauff (n°2), logically qualified for the second round.

The beautiful course continues for Andy Murray

2016. You had to go back six years to see Andy Murray spend more than one round in the Big Apple. The former world number one no longer has the physical condition of his best years. But his science of the game remains. The young American Emilio Nava paid to see: winner of the first set, he then suffered the British surge (5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-0), by dint of wasting his opportunities.

The third round promises to be much tougher for Murray. Faced with Matteo Berrettini, seeded number 13 and semi-finalist of the tournament in 2019, the march will be high.


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