US Open Day 4 Recap: No One Wants To Play Serena

By • On • In News

Day four at the US Open was the day of attrition. Top seeds were pushed to their limits while others wilted in the heat. Here’s what you may have missed on day four at the US Open.

French Revolution Not To Be
After two sets Adrian Mannarino had for all intensive purposes outplayed the 3rd seeded Andy Murray. Mannarino sliced and kick served his way to a 7-5, 6-4 lead over Murray who was visibly frustrated, mostly with himself. There was a sense however, that even after dropping the first two sets that Mannarino was slowing down. Sure enough Murray, known for being on of the most physically fit players on tour, kept grinding and even turned it up a notch as Mannarino faded.

For Murray it’s been two brutal draws against Kyrgios and Mannarino that will surely hinder his chances going forward. Three hours in the humid New York weather paired with a four-setter two night prior will leave even the most fit athlete begging for a respite. His third round opponent will be Thomaz Bellucci who has never been past the second round of the US Open but who also had two easy three setters on route the third round. I expect Murray to win another four or five set match.

Everyone is Scared of Serena

Caroline Wozniacki was the latest top 10 player to fall at the US Open begging the question; does anyone even want a shot at Serena? Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova are the only top 10 player left in the draw after also seeing the ninth seeded Garbine Muguruza lose in three sets. Wozniacki couldn’t capitalize on four different match points and subsequently capitulated in the third set tie break, only managing a single point. 

At this point the only seeded players left on Serena’s side of the draw are Madison Keys (19), Venus Williams (23) and Elina Svitolina (17). For Serena the pressure will be on each match going forward but she doesn’t have to worry about a murders row of opponents.

The Rest of the Action
The match of the day may have been the passing of the Australian torch. Lleyton Hewitt fell in a grind-it-out five set match with fellow Aussie Bernard Tomic which signifies the last time Hewitt will play on at the US Open. Hewitt notched a ridiculous 47 career wins all time at the US Open and is one of the only players of his era still battling out there. Big props to him.

On the American side Donald Young keeps his unlikely US Open run going with a four set win over British qualifier Aljaz Bedene while John Isner rolled in straight sets against former top 10 player Mikhail Youzhny. Unfortunately, Jack Sock was not as lucky as he collapsed on court in the fourth set due to cramping forcing him to retire after being up two sets to one. Dehydration has been a recurring theme this tournament and don’t expect it to go away as we head into the weekend.


outweigh

Comments

Comments are closed.