The US Open has entered the business stage of the draw with the first of the quarter-finals kicking off. On the men’s draw, home favourite Taylor Fritz takes on 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic first up ojn Arthur Ashe Stadium. There is then an all-American clash between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton in the night session.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff faces Jelena Ostapenko in the day session before Wimbledon champion Karolina Muchova takes on Romanian No 30 seed Sorana Cirstea.
Ahead of his quarter-final match, Djokovic said: “I assume there’s going to be more support for Taylor Fritz in our next match. Obviously eventually if I win, to play Shelton or Tiafoe in the semis.
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“It’s expected. We’re in America playing against home players. It’s something that I would be surprised if it’s otherwise, to be honest. So I know what I’m expecting, and I’m going to get ready for that mentally.
“Again, matches are only going to get tougher from now on. It’s quarter-finals of a Slam. I think it’s important for a very big and important country in the tennis world, like America is, to have three tennis players from America in quarter-finals of a slam. It’s important for this tournament. It’s one of the four majors, one of the four most important events in the history of our sport.
Medvedev in hot water
Daniil Medvedev may have landed himself in hot water by confessing to illegally streaming US Open matches. The Russian was asked if he will be watching the all-American showdown between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton.
He said: “Funny, I was waiting for this question because I guess in a lot of hotels they have Spectrum. I cannot watch it on TV anymore.
“I don’t know if it’s legal or illegal, but I have to find a way because I cannot watch it on TV. I got Internet, probably this, how you call it, pirate websites, I watch tennis there. I have no other choice.
“But at the same time sometimes I do want to watch some series. Do I put it on the phone or not? I watched Djokovic with Djere until it was 2:30 and then I had to go to sleep. Probably I’m going to watch it if they don’t play too late, my phone, if Spectrum don’t find an agreement.
“I think I would say more about Tommy, Taylor, and Frances just because of the ranking that it’s great to see three Americans that high in the rankings. Great guys, same generation, playing great. Ben managed win Tommy, so he’s there, the third one. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, a great match, at least one American in the semis. Let’s see.”
Hilter slur shouted at Zverev
Alexander Zverev complained to British umpire James Keothavong that a member of the crowd shouted “the most famous Hitler phrase in history” at his midway through his fourth set against Jannik Sinner.
The German added “it’s unacceptable” and asked for the culprit to be pointed out by those around him. While initially unable to distinguish who was to blame, the umpire reminded the supporters of their conduct.
Around 10 minutes later US Open security entered the stands and ejected a middle aged male after briefly chatting to him.
Good morning
Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the US Open as we gear up for the first day of quarter-final action.
There are plenty of big guns still in the men’s draw, where Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz remain on a collision course for the final.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff remains alive and kicks off Tuesday’s action on Arthur Ashe Stadium at 5pm.
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