Jannik Sinner survives Denis Shapovalov test at US Open as Coco Gauff hits stride

NEW YORK – Reigning champion Jannik Sinner insisted he was “not a machine” after coming through a testing encounter with Canada’s 27th seed Denis Shapovalov on Aug 30 to book his place in the US Open last 16.

The world No. 1 rallied from a set down to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 and is trying to become the first man to retain the title in New York since Roger Federer in 2008.

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek also struggled through to the last 16 and home favourite Coco Gauff booked a blockbuster clash with Naomi Osaka.

“I was in a very difficult moment today,” admitted Sinner, 24.

“The scoreline was a bit against me today, but I just tried to stay there mentally. I’m not a machine, you know. I also struggle sometimes. I was playing great tennis and he (was) also.”

The Italian will next face Alexander Bublik, the 23rd seed from Kazakhstan who beat 14th-seeded American Tommy Paul 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1.

“Week 2 is completely different. It’s getting tougher, also physically and mentally,” added Sinner.

To illustrate that point, there were three more retirements in the men’s draw on Aug 30 after the injury-induced exit of sixth seed Ben Shelton of the United States the day before.

Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and 435th-ranked Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi all moved on when their opponents threw in the towel.

Australian eight seed de Minaur led Daniel Altmaier 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 when the German retired, while Italy’s 10th seed Musetti held a two-set lead over his 24th-seeded compatriot Flavio Cobolli before the latter packed it in because of an arm injury.

“I didn’t want to finish like that, especially against Flavio. He’s one of my best friends on tour,” said Musetti.

Riedi, 23, became the lowest-ranked man to reach the fourth round of a Major since 2002 as Polish opponent Kamil Majchrzak retired after eight games due to injury.

Unseeded Jaume Munar, 28, also advanced, but Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong saw his brave run ended by a five-set loss to 15th seed Andrey Rublev of Russia.

The 21-year-old Wong had become the first player from Hong Kong ever to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open era.

German third seed Alexander Zverev crashed out after losing to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Zverev, the runner-up in 2020, claimed the first set and had a set point in the second but came unstuck as 25th seed Auger-Aliassime won 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Swiatek showed great resolve to dig herself out of trouble against Russian 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The world No. 2 slid 1-5 behind in the opening set but saved four set points and won a tiebreak before eventually seeing off Kalinskaya 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.

The Pole, 24, was far from her best but scrambled through to a last-16 meeting with Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Third-seeded Gauff swept past Polish 28th seed Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-1 in her most polished display of the tournament to boost her hopes of collecting a second US Open title.

After battling to a tearful victory in the previous round, a much more composed Gauff dispatched Frech with relative ease.

“It’s been an emotional week, but I think I needed those tough moments to move forward. I was putting so much pressure on myself,” said the 21-year-old.

“I think today showed I was really having fun out there.”

She heads into a showdown with former world No. 1 Osaka after the Japanese beat Australian 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, 27, is enjoying her best US Open showing since winning the tournament for the second time in 2020.

The last-16 match will be a repeat of the duo’s first meeting at the US Open in 2019, when Osaka overpowered the then 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets.

“Everyone will be watching. That’s what tennis needs,” said Venus Williams, who progressed to the third round of the women’s doubles with partner Leylah Fernandez. AFP, REUTERS