US Open 2024 Day Five Recap

There have been extra surprises on Friday in New York as Novak Djokovic’s quest for a twenty fifth Grand Slam was put to mattress by Alexei Popyrin after he shocked the Serb in 4 units to blow the underside part of the draw extensive open.

I had my doubts that Djokovic would have the ability to discover his greatest tennis in New York after his exploits on the Olympics, and I imagined he’d run out of fuel later down the road. Nonetheless, I didn’t foresee his serve being so out of kilter, and his three matches at Flushing Meadows produced 32 double faults and confirmed that his tank was operating on empty, nor did he fairly have that trademark burning want to struggle to the bitter finish.

There was loads of drama elsewhere, with two prolonged five-setters as Frances Tiafoe took out Ben Shelton in 5 earlier than Casper Ruud mounted a comeback from two units right down to see off Jerry Shang.

Day 5 US Open 2024 Spherical of 32 Outcomes

Popyrin Pops Djokovic Bubble

The US Open isn’t executed with large upsets but. Simply 24 hours after Carlos Alcaraz was despatched packing, Alexei Popyrin dispatched Djokovic in 4 units, successful 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a strong show of tennis that included 50 winners.

Popyrin has all the time had the large ball hanging, and after he lastly pieced issues collectively in Montreal, he’s been capable of keep a excessive stage of relentless hitting all through his matches.

Whereas the win was a lot of his personal doing, he was considerably aided by Djokovic’s erratic efficiency. The Olympic champion hadn’t served effectively in both of his opening matches, and it went to a fair worse stage on Friday, producing 14 double faults on this one.

In case you take away these from the stats, all of a sudden, the match is way nearer, and there are doubtless some tie-break units in there, which Djoker sometimes excels in, however to donate three video games price of double faults, you’re going through an uphill battle, much more so in case your opponent is taking part in effectively.

Third time fortunate [this year], I suppose. Actually, we had some battles on the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my probabilities in these matches however didn’t take them. This match was slightly completely different. I used to be capable of take my probabilities once I had them and performed some good tennis. It’s unbelievable as a result of I’ve been within the third spherical about 15 instances in my profession, however I haven’t been capable of get previous to the fourth spherical. To have the ability to do it in opposition to the best of all time to get into the fourth spherical is unbelievable. It’s a terrific feeling and the exhausting work has paid off. Popyrin on his win.

Congratulations to him and his workforce. He performed higher and deserved to win right this moment. On my finish, truthfully, the way in which I felt and the way in which I performed from the start of this match, third spherical is a hit. I imply, I’ve performed a number of the worst tennis I’ve ever performed; truthfully, serving by far the worst ever.” In case you play on a fast floor like this with out the serve, with out [the] potential to win free factors there, very low first-serve share, many double faults, then you possibly can’t win. You’ll be able to’t win, particularly in opposition to the blokes who’re in type like Alexei who’s serving large, places quite a lot of stress in your service recreation. Yeah, it was simply an terrible match for me. Djokovic on his loss.

Tiafoe Tops Shelton

Frances Tiafoe has discovered his type at simply the suitable time this season, securing a dramatic 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ben Shelton.

The American has had a subpar twelve months, however with a brand new coach in tow, he made the ultimate in Cincinnati and is now within the fourth spherical in New York.

As you’d count on, the match was performed in entrance of a vigorous New York crowd, and each guys had that swashbuckling shotmaking type to stir them up.

Nonetheless, Tiafoe appeared to carry extra focus over the length. He stayed sharp over the 5 units and will go level for level relatively than dwelling on a few of his missed alternatives.

Large Foe additionally created 21 breakpoints, which isn’t simple on an enormous lefty serve like Shelton’s, and he’s into the fourth spherical on the US Open for a fifth straight 12 months.

First off, I gotta say, Ben’s an unbelievable participant. He actually is. He goes for all types of photographs, he’s obtained no care on this planet, it’s actually annoying. He’s obtained a terrific serve. He has nice vitality out right here. He can give you nice photographs, so can I. We each transfer rather well. So its simply spotlight after spotlight. I actually hope you guys loved the present. Frances Tiafoe on his win.

Different Matches of Observe

Dimitrov Grooves Previous Griekspoor: Ninth-seeded Dimitrov defeated Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 in a 99-minute match with out going through a break level. He has not dropped a set in the course of the match thus far and, with the draw extensive open, will fancy his probabilities of making the latter levels.

Rublev Rallies Spherical Lehecka: After his comeback from two units down in opposition to Arthur Rinderknech, Andrey Rublev secured his fourth-round spot on the US Open with a simple victory over Jiri Lehecka, successful 89% of factors behind his first serve. 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Zverev Overcomes Etcheverry: Alexander Zverev overcame a difficult begin in defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina. After dropping the primary set 5-7 and trailing 2-4 within the second, Zverev rallied to win 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 in three hours and 36 minutes. The match completed at 2.35 am, which was a joke in my view and the second newest in match historical past.

Nakashima Beats Mussetti: Brandon Nakashima is an American in type, and I might simply see him breaking the highest 30/20 based mostly on what I see. He performed properly on Friday, overcoming a 0-4 deficit within the fourth set to power a tiebreak earlier than defeating Lorenzo Musetti, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). He’ll face Zverev subsequent, which is likely to be a step too far, however you possibly can’t write him off.

Ruud Fights Off Shang: After being two units down, Casper Ruud made a dramatic comeback to defeat Shang Juncheng 6-7(1), 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1. The 2022 US Open finalist initially struggled together with his serve however turned the match round within the third set by successful it 6-0. The Norwegian’s superior bodily potential proved the distinction as he wore down Shang.

Fritz Cracks Comesana: Taylor Fritz defeated Argentina’s Francisco Comesana in straight units, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the fourth spherical. Fritz proved too highly effective for the much less skilled Argentine, and he’s the primary American since Andre Agassi in 2003 to succeed in the fourth spherical in any respect 4 majors in a single season.

US Open Day 6 Spherical of 32 Matches