(New York) German Alexander Zverev (No. 4) upheld the logic of the rankings by dominating American Brandon Nakashima (No. 50) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to qualify for the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday in New York.
Pushed around at the start of the match, Zverev saw Nakashima seize the first set by converting his only break point before taking complete control of the match which ended in 2 hours 36 minutes.
The 27-year-old German was able to rely on a high quality of service to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the 3e times this season (semi-final at the Australian Open, final at Roland-Garros).
Zverev, who was beaten in the final of the tournament in 2020, will face American Taylor Fritz (12) in the next round.e).
Grigor Dimitrov returns to the quarter-finals
Grigor Dimitrov held off Andrey Rublev’s comeback attempt and the Bulgarian is back in the quarter-finals of the US Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory on Sunday.
Dimitrov, seeded ninth, started strongly in the first duel between two members of the top 10 world this year in New York.
PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Grigor Dimitrov
Frustrated, Rublev hit his racket against his left hand during the first set and subsequently needed a visit to a doctor to treat his hand.
Dimitrov won the final six points of the second-set tiebreaker before finally seeing No. 6 Rublev charge in the third and fourth sets. Then, with Serena Williams watching on at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Dimitrov regained control in the final set to reach the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the eighth time in his career.
PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The demons of nervousness gnawed at Andrey Rublev, who was particularly affected by his screams.
He defeated Roger Federer in the quarter-finals in 2019, when he had his best career result in a Grand Slam by reaching the semi-finals.
Williams, a friend of Dimitrov, gave him a thumbs-up after his victory. Dimitrov was enjoying the atmosphere.
“It brought back good memories from 2019, so why not a five-set game!” Dimitrov said.
In the next round, he will face the American ranked 20th.eFrances Tiafoe. The latter defeated the Australian Alexei Popyrin, who defeated Novak Djokovic, in four sets of 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6 and 6-3.
PHOTO ANGELA WEISS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe is the first American to reach the quarterfinals three years in a row since Andy Roddick, from 2006 to 2008.
In other matches, American Taylor Fritz, No. 12, also reached the quarter-finals by beating Casper Ruud, No. 8, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
“I’m at the point where I’m always happy to reach the quarter-finals, but I wouldn’t be happy if it ended here,” said Fritz, who has yet to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.
“I’ve gotten to a point where I really want more than that,” Fritz added.
His compatriot Brandon Nakashima had hoped to join him by beating No. 4 Alexander Zverev later Sunday, but he fell short.
Nakashima won the opening set, but Zverev opened the machine and the German won in four sets of 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
With Howard Fendrich, Associated Press
The results of the 7e daytime
Taylor Fritz (USA/N.12) beats Casper Ruud (NOR/N.8) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL/N.9) beats Andrey Rublev (RUS/N.6) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3