MEN’s second seed Daniil Medvedev ended qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp’s battling run to reach the US Open semi-finals on Wednesday morning and keep his bid for a maiden Grand Slam trophy alive.
The Russian raced through to a two-set lead but Van de Zandschulp, despite looking exhausted, hit back.
The Dutchman, 25, saved a match point in the fourth set but could not prevent Medvedev from winning 6-3 6-0 4-6 7-5.
Medvedev will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last four.
The Canadian world number 15 progressed after 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz retired while trailing 6-3 3-1.
Alcaraz had become the youngest player in the Open era to reach the US Open men’s last eight, having stunned Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round.
But, after showing no signs of injury during the first set, Alcaraz started to struggle in the second, ultimately indicating he could not go on. He later said he had felt the thigh problem before taking to the court.
“It’s really tough to end a great tournament like this,” said Alcaraz. “I had no choice.
“First of all I have to take care of my body. I didn’t feel good to still play, so I had to retire.”
Auger-Aliassime added: “I didn’t see it coming. I thought we were putting on a good show.”
In women’s singles, teenager Leylah Fernandez produced another fearless performance to beat Elina Svitolina and set up a US Open semi-final with Aryna Sabalenka.
Canada’s Fernandez, who turned 19 on Monday, showed all of her devastating power to win a tense tie-break 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) in New York.
Svitolina, 26, had overturned a 5-2 deficit in the third but could not stop Fernandez’s thrilling, powerful play.
Second seed Sabalenka dominated French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova 6-1 6-4.
Fernandez has beaten defending champion Naomi Osaka, 2016 winner Angelique Kerber and now Olympic bronze medallist Svitolina in her run to her first major semi-final.
She has shown remarkable composure in New York, backing up her easy power with a calmness and composure on court.
As Svitolina sent a return of serve long on match point, Fernandez fell to her knees and teared up as she was given a lengthy ovation by the fans on Arthur Ashe.
“I honestly have no idea what I’m feeling right now. I was so nervous throughout the whole match,” she said.
“I was honoured to have a fight with Svitolina. I just told myself to go for every point. I’m glad I did.”
BBC Sport
