US Open day five: Evans through while teenage stars produce major upsets
Carlos Alcaraz and Leylah Fernandez, both 18, beat men’s and women’s third seeds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Naomi Osaka respectively.
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Your support makes all the difference.Dan Evans reached the US Open fourth round for the first time in his career.
The British number one dug deep to come from two sets down and beat Australian Alexei Popyrin 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (1) and book his spot in the second week of a grand slam for just the second time.
It was the day of 18-year-olds on Arthur Ashe as 2021 villain Stefanos Tsitsipas lost in five sets to rising star Carlos Alcaraz and then Leylah Fernandez stunned women’s defending champion Naomi Osaka
Here, the PA news agency looks back at day five in New York.
Picture of the day
Post of the day
Teenage kicks
What a day for the 18-year-olds. After rising Spanish star Alcaraz downed men’s third seed Tsitsipas in a five-set battle, a win he described as a “dream come true”, Fernandez followed suit by wiping out defending women’s champion Osaka. The Japanese was serving for the match in the second set but an incredible performance from the Canadian teenager saw her produce the shock of the tournament.
Stat of the day
Alcaraz is living up to the hype as Rafael Nadal’s successor and he proved that he has the capability of competing at the top.
Excess baggage
There are fines for smashing the racket, swearing on court and failing to attend a press conference. And then there are fines for bringing an “unapproved” pink bag on to court. Big-serving American Reilly Opelka is now 10,000 US dollars (£7,212) worse off after his accessory showed a sponsor’s logo that was too big.
Quote of the day
Well, if I won today, tomorrow he will be really pumped to do everything what is in his power to win.
Svitolina revealed she enjoys some marital competitiveness with new husband Gael Monfils as she booked her place in the fourth round.
Turin booked
Britain’s Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram had two reasons to celebrate on Friday after reaching the third round at Flushing Meadows and qualifying for the ATP Finals later this year.
Brit watch
Evans could have been excused for thinking that second weeks of grand slams were just not for him. The British number one has lost in the third round at the four major tournaments six times and three since his only fourth round appearance at the Australian Open in 2017. And at two sets down against Australian Popyrin, the 31-year-old must have been thinking the worst, but a fine comeback some him register a 4-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (1) success.
Fallen seeds
Men: Stefanos Tsitsipas (3), Andrey Rublev (5), Roberto Bautista Agut (18)Women: Naomi Osaka (3), Victoria Azarenka (18), Ekaterina Rybakina (19), Daria Kasatkina (25)
Up next
Emma Raducanu continues her amazing US Open journey and hopes to join Evans in the fourth round as she takes on Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo.
The 18-year-old has been one of the big story of this year’s tournament, but is still denied a showcourt billing as she is second up on Court 7.
World number ones Ashleigh Barty and Novak Djokovic continue their campaigns on Arthur Ashe Stadium.