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Welcome to NewsWhistle’s coverage of the 2021 US Open tennis tournament, where players and fans experienced fourteen days of fun and forehands in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
This year’s Grand Slam competition ran from August 30th until September 12th.
To enjoy our daily off-site updates, please scroll below.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH – DAY FOURTEEN
MEN’S FINALS
Andrew Ong/USTA
Andrew Ong/USTA
Novak Djokovic vs. Daniil Medvedev
In three fantastic sets of tennis, Russian second-seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Serbian first-seed Novak Djokovic and became the first player from his generation to defeat one of the big three in a Grand Slam final.
Medvedev dominated the start of the match, grabbing an early 3-1 lead before Djokovic began to find his footing and close the lead to just one game. Medvedev, holding his serve, ended the first set with an ace.
Djokovic, determined not to start off on the back foot, won the first game of the second set, not allowing Medvedev to score a single point. Medvedev, bouncing back, took the second game of the set. Both players traded games, bringing the score to 2-2 before Djokovic broke his racket on the ground in frustration after Medvedev won the fifth game off of a let. Medvedev soon after found himself up 5-4 before a wide backhand from Djokovic won him the match, putting him just one game away from his first-ever Grand Slam final win.
Medvedev, eager to close out the game, came out hot and built himself a 4-0 lead in the final set before Djokovic managed to grab a game away from him. Medvedev then brought himself to match point, the score 5-2. Medvedev, his nerves beginning to show, then dropped two sets, before finally clinching the game. The final score – 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
CELEBRITIES
Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Brad Pitt watches the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Brad Pitt speaks with Bradley Cooper during the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Rami Malek attends the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Alec Baldwin attends the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Alec Baldwin speaks with Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper and Rami Malek during the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes watch the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Jenna Bush and Savannah Guthrie watch the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Al Roker attends the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Vera Wang and Lindsey Vonn attend the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “James Corden attends the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Paul Wesley watches the Men’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 12, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Daniil Medvedev Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ong/USTA;
- Novak Djokovic Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ong USTA;
- Brad Pitt Photo Courtesy of Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Brad Pitt & Bradley Cooper Photo Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Remi Malek Photo Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Alec Baldwin Photo Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Brad Pitt, Bradley Cooper, Rami Malek & Alec Baldwin Photo Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood USTA;
- Hugh Dancy & Claire Daines Photo Courtesy of Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Jenna Bush & Savannah Guthrie Photo Courtesy of Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Al Roker Photo Courtesy of Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Vera Wang & Lindsey Vonn Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- James Corden Courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA; and
- Paul Wesley Courtesy of Darren Carrol/USTA.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH – DAY THIRTEEN
WOMEN’S FINALS
Darren Carroll/USTA
Emma Raducanu vs. Leylah Annie Fernandez
In two straight sets, unseeded Englishwoman Emma Raducanu defeated unseeded Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez and became the first-ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam. Raducanu also became the first Englishwoman to win a Grand Slam since 1977 and the youngest player to win a Grand Slam since 2004.
Raducanu started the first set strong, winning the first game and holding serve in the second to gain an early 2-0 lead. Fernandez found her footing in the third game and managed to close the gap between the two until the tenth game of the set, when Raducanu hit a massive forehead to clinch the first set.
In the second set, Raducanu won the first game and was up 40-0 in the next before Fernandez managed to pull it back and win two games in a row.
Raducanu then won four straight games — bringing the score to 5-2 — before Fernandez won a closely contested game. Raducanu, only briefly fazed by the potential of a comeback, closed out the second set with an ace and won her first-ever Grand Slam final. The final score – 6-4, 6-3.
Raducanu reflecting on her amazing US Open run ending said:
“I mean, it’s an absolute dream. You just have visions of yourself going up to the box, hugging everyone, I mean, celebrating. That’s something that you always think of, you always work for. For that moment to actually happen, yeah, I’m just grateful for my team that [is] here with me, the team that [is] back home, the LTA, every single person who supported me along this journey.”
CELEBRITIES
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attends the Women’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Saturday, Sep. 11, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Actor Jason Biggs talks with [tennis champ] Kim Clijsters during the Women’s Singles championship match at the 2021 US Open, Saturday, Sep. 11, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Emma Raducanu Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Adam Silver Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Jason Biggs Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH – DAY TWELVE
MEN’S SEMIFINALS
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Felix Auger Aliassime vs. Daniil Medvedev
In three straight sets, Russian third-seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Canadian 12th-seed Felix Auger Aliassime and has secured a chance to win his first grand slam title.
Aliassime struggled in the first set, gifting Medvedev an early lead and eventually the set through several double faults and unforced errors. Aliassime found his footing in the second set, holding a large 5-2 lead. Medvedev pulled it back and managed to survive two set points, forcing a tiebreaker. Medvedev then won the tiebreaker, demoralizing Aliassime, and cruised through the third and final set. The final score – 4-6, 5-7, 2-6.
Medvedev on making it to the finals:
“I lost two finals. I want to win the third one. That’s tennis, we have two players, only one [is] going to win. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’m going to try more than I did the first two times.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev
In five fantastic sets of tennis, Serbian first-seed Novak Djokovic defeated German fourth-seed Alexander Zverev and is one game away from having a grand total of 21 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic, for the fourth time in a row, dropped the first set. He quickly found his footing in the second set, convincingly beating Zverev. In the third set, Zverev managed to stave off two break points from Djokovic, winning a record-breaking 53-shot rally. That, however, was not enough and Djokovic managed to close out the third set on his third break point. Djokovic, close to victory, came out hot in the fourth set, building a 5-0 lead over Zverev. Zverev attempted to make a comeback, winning two straight games before Djokovic finally closed out the fourth. The final score – 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
RESULTS
MOVING ON TO THE FINALS: Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1].
ELIMINATED FROM THE TOURNAMENT: Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) [12] (Defeated by Medvedev); Alexander Zverev (GER) [4] (Defeated by Djokovic).
FINALS MATCHUP
Novak Djokovic is playing for his 21st Grand Slam title and a chance to win 4 out of the 4 Grand Slams in a single season. He is also hoping to become the player with the most Grand Slam titles, beating both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by one title.
Daniil Medvedev is playing for his third Grand Slam title and a chance at revenge against Djokovic who beat him in this year’s Australian Open final.
CELEBRITIES
Allison Joseph/USTA
From the USTA: “[Former goalie] Henrik Lundqvist and [actor] Rami Malek look on during a Men’s Singles semifinal match at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 10, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “[Actress] Eiza Gonzalez and [her lacrosse player boyfriend] Paul Rabil watch a Men’s Singles semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 10, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “[Actor] Alessandro Nivola watches a Men’s Singles semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 10, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “[Actor] Christopher Mintz-Plasse watches a Men’s Singles semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 10, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Paris Hilton watches a Men’s Singles semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 10, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Daniil Medvedev Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Novak Djokovic Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Henrik Lundqvist & Rami Malek Photo by Allison Joseph/USTA;
- Alessandro Nivola Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Eiza Gonzalez & Paul Rabil Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Christopher Mintz-Plasse Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Paris Hilton Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH – DAY ELEVEN
WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS
Darren Carroll/USTA
Leylah Annie Fernandez vs. Aryna Sabalenka
Continuing her unbelievable US Open run, 19-year old unseeded Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated Belarusian second-seed Aryna Sabalenka, and secured her spot in her first-ever US Open finals.
Sabalenka started the first set ahead, building herself a 4-1 lead until Fernandez managed to bring it back and force a tiebreaker which she comfortably won. Fernandez took an early 3-2 lead in the second set, much to the frustration of Sablenka who repeatedly slammed her racquet on the ground. Sablenka, after calming won, managed to pull back and win the second set. In the third set, Sabalenka began to show signs of fatigue, gifting Fernandez three match points through double faults. Fernandez then closed out the final set, collapsing on the ground in disbelief. The final score – 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Fernandez on her “magical” US Open run:
“I’m just having fun, I’m trying to produce something for the crowd to enjoy. I’m glad that whatever I’m doing on court, the fans are loving it and I’m loving it too. We’ll say it’s magical.”
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Pete Staples/USTA
Emma Raducanu vs. Maria Sakkari
In an incredible two sets of tennis, unseeded Englishwoman Emma Raducanu defeated Greek 17th-seed Maria Sakkari and became the first woman in history to ever make it to the US Open finals as a qualifier.
Raducanu dominated the first set, dropping only a single match. Raducanu built upon this lead, going up 4-1 early on in the second set. Sakkari, briefly, found her footing and closed the gap, before Raducanu closed out the game with a simple volley, making it to the US Open finals without dropping a single set. The final score – 6-1, 6-4.
Raducanu reflecting on her tournament so far said:
“Here in the US Open, I wasn’t really sure how my level was going to be. In a way, my tennis has surprised me in the way that I’ve managed [to] step up against some of the best players in the world.”
RESULTS
MOVING ON TO THE FINALS: Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) [Unseeded]; Emma Raducanu (GBR) [Unseeded].
ELIMINATE FROM THE TOURNAMENT: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) [2] (Defeated by Fernandez); Maria Sakkari (GRC) [17 (Defeated by Raducanu).
FINALS MATCHUP
Saturday’s match is the first time both women will play at a US Open final and will be the eighth Grand Slam final played between teenagers in the Open Era and the first since Serena Williams’ and Martina Hingis match in 1999.
Emma Raducanu will be playing for a chance to be the youngest Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004.
CELEBRITIES
Pete Staples/USTA
From the USTA: “Rosie Casals, Peaches Bartkowicz, Julie Heldman, Kerry Melville Reid, Valerie Ziegenfuss and Billie Jean King are honored for the 50th Anniversary of the Original 9 during the Women’s Singles semifinals at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 9, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Andrew Ong/USTA
From the USTA: “Actress, Wanda Sykes cheers during a Women’s Singles semifinal match at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 9, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
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Andrew Ong/USTA
From the USTA: “Actor Benjamin Bratt cheers during a Women’s Singles semifinal match at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 9, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Photo of Leylah Fernandez by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Photo of Emma Raducanu by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Photo of the Original 9 by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Photo of Wanda Sykes by Andrew Ong/USTA;
- Photo of Benjamin Bratt by Andrew Ong/USTA.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH – DAY TEN
MEN’S QUARTER-FINALS
Brad Penner/USTA
Alexander Zverev vs. Lloyd Harris
In three sets of tennis, German 4th-seed Alexander Zverev defeated unseeded South African Lloyd Harris and has secured a return trip to the US Open semifinals.
Harris started the first set hot, taking a 5-3 lead. Zverev, however, held steady and forced a tiebreaker. After an intense back-and-forth, Zverev won the tiebreaker, demoralizing Harris. In the second set, Zverev, riding his momentum, built an early 3-0 lead and eventually brought Harris to his final set in the US Open. Once again starting out strong, Zverev claimed a 4-0 lead, before Harris mounted a brief comeback and narrowed Zverev’s lead, bringing the score to 5-4. Zverev then closed out the match on serve with his first match point.
Zverev, commenting on the differences between this year’s tour and last year’s tour said:
“It’s so much more fun, so much more entertaining I think for everybody to be there when there are big numbers of spectators there.”
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Jed Jacobsohn/USTA
Novak Djokovic vs. Matteo Berrettini
In four sets of tennis, Serbian first–seed Novak Djokovic defeated Italian sixth-seed Matteo Berrettini.
Berrettini took the first set, forcing and winning a tiebreaker. Djokovic came out hot in the second set, cleanly winning it 6-4. Riding the momentum, Djokovic then made quick work out of Berrettini, winning two more sets back to back. The final score – 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.
Reflecting on his upcoming match against German fourth-seed Alexander Zverev, Djokovic said:
“I know it’s going to be battle, even harder than it was today. But I’m ready for it. Look these are hurdles that I need to overcome in order to get to the desired destination. Result is something that I can’t predict, but I can definitely put myself in the best possible state of mind and body to perform as well as I can.”
WOMEN’S QUARTER-FINALS
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Emma Raducanu vs. Belinda Bencic
Today, with her win over Swiss eleventh-seed Belinda Bencic, unseeded Englishwoman Emma Raducanu became the first British woman to reach the US Open semifinals since Jo Durie in 1983.
Raducanu started the first set down 3-1, before finding her footing and winning 5 straight games. After a back and forth second set, Raducanu emerged victorious and secured a spot in the 2021 US Open semifinals. The final score – 6-3, 6-4. Raducanu has yet to drop a single set throughout her entire US Open run.
Raducanu on her incredible US Open run so far:
“I didn’t expect to be here at all. I mean, I think my flights were booked at the end of qualifying … I’m just really enjoying the experience. Out there on the court today, I was saying to myself, this could be the last time you play on Ashe, so might as well just go for it and enjoy everything.
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Darren Carroll/USTA
Karolina Pliskova vs. Maria Sakkari
In a dominant two-set performance, Greek 17th-seed Maria Sakkari defeated Czech 4th-seed Karolina Pliskova and advanced to her second major semifinal of the season and her first US Open semifinal appearance. The final score –
Sakkari relied on her powerful served to clinch out this match, saying: 4-6, 4-6.
“I’m impressed. I trusted my serve, but now I’m going to trust it even more.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Americans Coco Gauff and Caty McNally knocked out the top-seeded women’s doubles team of German Elise Mertens and Taiwanese Hsieh Su-Wei. The pair will play the fifth-seeded team of Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazilain Luisa Stefani.
RESULTS
MOVING ON TO THE SEMIFINALS: Alexander Zverev (GER) [4]; Emma Raducanu (GBR) [Unseeded]; Maria Sakkari (GRC) [17]
ELIMINATED FROM THE TOURNAMENT: Lloyd Harris (ZAF) [Unseeded] (Defeated by Zverev); Belinda Bencic (CHE) [11] (Defeated by Raducanu); Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [4] (Defeated by Sakkari)
CELEBRITIES
Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “NBA player Jimmy Butler following a Men’s Singles quarterfinal match at the 2021 US Open, Wednesday, Sep. 8, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “[Director] Spike Lee during a Women’s Singles quarterfinal match at the 2021 US Open, Wednesday, Sep. 8, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Photo of Alexander Zverev by Brad Penner/USTA;
- Photo of Novak Djokovic by Jed Jacobsohn/USTA;
- Photo of Emma Raducanu by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Photo of Maria Sakkari by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Photo of Jimmy Butler by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Photo of Spike Lee by Darren Carroll/USTA.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH – DAY NINE
Today marked the start of the 2021 US Open quarterfinals and with it four fantastic matches of tennis.
MEN’S QUARTER-FINALS
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Botic van de Zandschulp vs. Daniil Medvedev
In four sets of tennis, Russian second-seed Daniil Medvedev defeated unseeded Belgian Botic van de Zandschulp and secured his third consecutive semi-final appearance this year.
Medvedev cleanly took the first two sets, only dropping three games in total. Zandschulp bounced back and took the third set, giving Medvedev his first set-loss of the tournament. After a hard-fought fourth set and a brief tie-breaker, Medvedev secured the victory. The final score – 3-6, 0-6, 6-4, 5-7.
Medvedev commenting on the gap in experience of his semi-final matchup said:
“For them, it’s going to be the first semis of a slam. You know, experience is not everything, because, for example, when I was in my first semis of a slam, I won it. doesn’t mean if you’re there for the first time you’re gonna lose it.”
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Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Carlos Alcaraz Garfia
Manuela Davies/USTA
Unseeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime became the first Canadian man to reach the US Open semifinals today after a two-set walkover against unseeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.
Aliassime took the first set 6-3 and was up 3-1 in the second before Alcaraz informed the umpire that he would be retiring due to an injury, ending the young Spaniards stunning US Open run.
Aliassime commenting on the unexpected walkover said:
“I didn’t see it coming. It’s unfortunate to finish like this. At the same time what he’s done has never been done here in the Open Era. I think he can be very proud of himself, very positive heading back with a head high.”
WOMEN’S QUARTER-FINALS
Mike Lawrence/USTA
Elina Svitolina vs. Leylah Annie Fernandez
Continuing her trend of upsetting top-20 players, unseeded Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez defeats Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the first women’s quarterfinal match of the day.
Fernandez took the first set while Svitolina took the second. Fernandez secured an early advantage during the final set, at one point holding a 5-2 lead and being one game away from victory. Fernandez, however, failed to close out that lead, and Svitolina managed to bring the game to a tie-breaker. After an intense back and forth, Fernandez managed to clinch the tie-breaker, and with it, the match. The final score – 3-6, 6-3, 6-7. With this win, Fernandez became the youngest woman since Serena Williams to beat two top-five seeds.
Fernandez explaining her thought process during this match said:
“For today and this match, I was only thinking of trusting myself, trusting my game. After every point, win or lose, I would always tell myself trust my fame, go for my shots, just see where the ball goes.”
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Darren Carroll/USTA
Barbora Krejcikova vs. Aryna Sabalenka
In two sets of tennis, Belarusian second-seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Czech eighth-seed Barbora Krejcikova, guaranteeing that this year’s US Open will have a first-time Grand Slam champion as the winner.
Sabalenka, after a nervous start, took the first set in a dominating fashion, dropping only one game. Krejcikova pushed back in the second set, but despite her efforts, she failed to bring the match to a third set. Sabalenka finished the second set with a love service game. The final score – 1-6, 4-6.
Sabalenka on her upcoming match against Leylash Annie Fernandez said:
“I was following her games. Yeah, she’s playing well, moving well. I would say it’s nothing to lose to her. She’s a great player. She’s fighting for every point.”
RESULTS
MOVING ON TO THE SEMIFINALS: Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN) [Unseeded]; Aryana Sabalenka (BLR) [2]; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) [12].
ELIMINATED FROM THE TOURNAMENT: Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5] (Defeated by Fernandez); Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [8] (Defeated by Sabalenka); Botic van de Zandschulp (NLD) [Unseeded] (Defeated by Medvedev); Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (ESP) [Unseeded] (Defeated by Aliassime).
CELEBRITIES
Mike Lawrence/USTA
From the USTA: “Actors Lin- Manuel Miranda and Christopher Jackson react during a Men’s Singles quarterfinal match at the 2021 US Open, Tuesday, Sep. 7, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Mike Lawrence/USTA
From the USTA: “Actor Judd Hirsch reacts during a Women’s Singles quarterfinal match at the 2021 US Open, Tuesday, Sep. 7, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Photo of Daniil Medvedev by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Photo of Felix Auger-Aliassime by Manuela Davies/USTA;
- Photo of Leylah Fernandez by Mike Lawrence/USTA;
- Photo of Aryna Sabalenka by Darren Carrol/USTA;
- Photo of Lin-Manuel Miranda & Christopher Jackson by Mike Lawrence/USTA;
- Photo of Judd Hirsch by Mike Lawrence/USTA.
***
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH – DAY EIGHT
MATCH OF THE DAY
Darren Carroll/USTA
Shelby Rogers vs. Emma Raducanu
In a dominating two-set victory, unseeded Englishwoman Emma Raducanu defeated unseeded American Shelby Rogers and secured a spot in the 2021 US Open quarter-finals. Raducanu started the first set down 0-2, before finding her footing and winning six straight games. Raducanu closed out the second set in an even more dominating fashion, only dropping one game. The final score – 6-2, 6-1.
Raducanu has yet to drop a single set throughout the entire tournament. Reflecting on her trend of short matches she said:
“I think the scorelines are quite irrelevant because the matches and the dynamic and the games, a lot are going to deuce. Those long games, like, no one can win them, but it’s such a tight match. It’s very difficult to call.
IN OTHER NEWS
Today the USTA recognized U.S. military members and their families on the ninth annual Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day. They began the evening session with a special on-court ceremony that featured the presentation of flags to three families who lost loved ones at the three 9/11 terrorist attack locations.
In regards to the military appreciation day, Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations said:
“It is an opportunity for all of us to remember the 1.2 million service members, who, like Joe, gave their lives in service to our nation. It is also an opportunity to remember and salute the heroism of our first responders in New York.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]; Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [4]; Alexander Zverev (GER) [4]; Matteo Berrenttini (ITL) [6]; Belinda Bencic (CHE) [11].
TOP LOSERS: Iga Swiatek (POL) [7] (Defeated by Bencic); Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [14] (Defeated by Pliskova); Reilly Opelka (USA) [22] (Defeated by Lloyd Harris).
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Darren Carroll/USTA
German fourth-seed Alexander Zverev on how his personal life affects his tennis performance:
“The most important decision in my life was I think taking control of my own life. That’s what I have done I think this year, beginning of this year. I’m taking control over everything, of my life, of my home in Monaco, of my business life, of my management, of companies that I want to work with, everything is happening and going through me … If you are in control of your own life, you are in control of your tennis. Players and people, I have my parents around, I have my team around. That didn’t change. But the decision-making in everything, it changed in a way that I am the one calling all the shots, in a way, and that is a huge difference.”
CELEBRITIES
Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “[Tennis icon] Virginia Wade and USTA Chairman of the Board and President Michael J. McNulty III watch the Women’s Singles match between Emma Raducanu and Shelby Rogers at the 2021 US Open, Monday, Sep. 6, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Shelby Rogers & Emma Raducanu Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Alexander Zverev Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Virginia Wade Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA.
***
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH – DAY SEVEN
MATCH OF THE DAY
Leylah Annie Fernandez vs. Angelique Kerber
After upsetting reigning champion Naomi Osaka just two days ago, unseeded Canadian 18-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez pulls off another crazy upset – defeating German 16th-seed Angelique Kerber.
After once again dropping the first set, Fernandez trailed the second set, with Kerber holding a 4-2 lead. Fernandez, with the crowd cheering her on, managed to force and win a tiebreaker for the second set. Fernandez, in a dominating third set, clinched her second upset this tournament. The final score – 6-4, 6-7, 2-6.
Fernandez, reflecting on how her back to back upsets said:
“I expected that one day my tennis game is going to come through and that I’m going to be on the big stage in front of a big crow playing against big players and also getting the wins. I’m not surprised of anything that’s happening right now. I’m just glad that it’s happening now and no later in the year.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Aryana Sabalenka (BLR) [2]; Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5].
TOP LOSERS: Dan Evans (GBR) [24] (Defeated by Medvedev); Diego Schwartzman (ARG) [11] (Defeated by Zandschulp); Elise Mertens (GER) [15] (Defeated by Sabalenka); Angelique Kerber (GER) [16] (Defeated by Fernandez); Simona Halep (ROU) [12] (Defeated by Svitolina).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Unseeded Botic van de Zandschulp thoughts on reaching the quarterfinals of the 2021 US Open:
“Well, I started in quallies here. Didn’t really expect before the tournament I would make the quallies here. Of course, I won like two rounds, one in Wimbledon, one in Roland Garros. Yeah, beat one good player, Hurkacz I bear in Roland Garros, and so I knew that I could beat players who are ranked 20 or 10 in the world. But I didn’t do it like this often, this consistently. ”
CELEBRITIES
From the USTA:”[Political consultant] Luis Miranda, Jr. [father of Lin-Manuel] watches a Men’s Singles match between Daniel Evans and Daniil Medvedev at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 5, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
From the USTA:”Actress Danai Gurira reacts during a Men’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 5, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
From the USTA:”Actor Quincy Brown and [baseball player] Robinson Cano watch a Men’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Sunday, Sep. 5, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Leylah Fernandez Photo by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Botic van de Zandschulp Photo by Brad Penner/USTA;
- Luis Miranda Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA;
- Danai Gurira Photo Manuela Davies/USTA;
- Quincy Brown & Robinson Cano Photo by Manuela Davies/USTA.
***
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – DAY SIX
MATCH OF THE DAY
Ashleigh Barty vs. Shelby Rogers
Unseeded American Shelby Rogers upsets Australian first-seed Ashleigh Barty in three sets. Rogers convincingly claimed the first set, before Barty bounced back and recovered the second. Coming off the momentum of the second set, Barty secured herself a 5-3 lead in the match deciding set, one game away from victory. Rogers then mounted her comeback, winning two games in a row and forcing a tiebreaker. After an intense tiebreaker, Rogers emerges victorious, the final score – 2-6, 6-1, 6-7.
This win was Rogers’s second win against top-five ranked players throughout her entire career, as well as her first-ever win against Ashleigh Barty.
Rogers, reflecting on her mentality before and during the match said:
“I think tonight going on the court I told myself I didn’t want to lose the same way I lost the last five times against her. I just tried to do things a little bit differently … I was just happy and really proud of myself tonight for problem-solving.”
IN OTHER NEWS
With his win over Russian twenty-first-seed Aslan Karatsev, twenty-year-old Jenson Brooksby became the youngest American to reach the fourth round of the US Open since Andy Roddick’s quarter-final appearance in 2002.
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Bianca Andreescu (CAN) [6]; Belinda Bencic (CHE) [11]; Maria Sakkari (GRC) [17]; Iga Swiatek (POL) [7]; Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [4]; Matteo Berrettini (ITL) [6]; Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]; Jannik Sinner (ITL) [13]
TOP LOSERS: Jessica Pegula (USA) [23] (Defeated by Bencic); Petra Kvitova (CZE) [10] (Defeated by Sakkari); Annet Kontaveit (EST) [28] (Defeated by Swiatek); Aslan Karatsev (RUS) [21] (Jenson Brooksby); Gael Monfils (FRA) [17] (Defeated by Sinner); Ashleigh Barty (AUS) [1] (Defeated by Rogers)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Serbian first-seed Novak Djokovic on what he wants his legacy to be:
“I would like people, particularly my peers, the fellow tennis player, both men’s and women’s side, to remember me as someone that first of all left his heart out on the court and has inspired many players to get better and to improve and to believe in themselves more.”
CELEBRITIES
From the USTA: “Hank Azaria attends a Men’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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From the USTA: “New York Yankees baseball player Gerrit Cole looks on during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Andrew Ong/USTA
From the USTA: “Minnesota Timberwolves player D’Angelo Russell looks on during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Shelby Rogers Photos by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Novak Djokovic Photo by Adam Glanzman/USTA;
- Hank Azaria Photo by Andrew Ong/USTA;
- Gerrit Cole Photo by Andrew Ong/USTA;
- D’Angelo Russell Photo by Andrew Ong/USTA.
***
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD – DAY FIVE
MATCHES OF THE DAY
Tonight, two unseeded 18-year-olds did the unthinkable – upsetting the third-seeds from both the men’s draw and the women’s draw, with Carlos Alcaraz Garfia defeating Stefano Tsitsipas and Leylah Annie Fernandez defeating Naomi Osaka.
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia vs. Stefano Tsitsipas
In five fantastic sets of tennis, unseeded 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz Garfia upsets third-seed Greek Stefano Tsistipas. Alcaraz took a 2-1 lead after winning a third-set tiebreaker. Tsitstipas, coming hot off one of his extended bathroom breaks, swept the fourth set 6-0. In a nailbiter of a fifth set, Alcaraz won the tiebreaker and with it the match. The final score – 6-3, 4-6, 7-6, 6-0, 7-6.
This win makes Alcaraz the youngest player to beat a top-three seeded opponent at the US Open since 1973, the youngest player since 1989 to win matches in all four Grand Slams in one year, and the youngest player since 2005 to make it to two third-round appearances in a single year.
Alcaraz claims that the crowd played a massive part in his victory, saying:
“I think the crowd was important … I think without the crowd I couldn’t have the opportunity to play a great fifth set and be able to beat Stefanos. I think the crowd was really amazing. I really loved it.”
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Leylah Annie Fernandez vs. Naomi Osaka
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
In three thrilling sets of tennis, unseeded Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez upsets the defending US Open champion and Japanese third-seed Naomi Osaka. Fernandez dropped the first set to Osaka, then won the tie-breaker for the second with Osaka beginning to lose her composure – giving up points and slamming her racket into the ground. Osaka started the third-set with a double fault, and Fernandez, with the crowd at her back, kept up the pressure, eventually defeating Osaka. The final score – 5-7, 7-6, 6-4.
Explaining her mentality coming into a match against the defending champion, Fernandez said:
“From a very young age, I knew I was able to beat anyone, anyone who is in front of me … I’ve always had that belief. I’ve always, like, tried to use that in every match I go on. I guess today that belief came true.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5]; Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [8]; Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [9]; Diego Schwartzman (ARG) [11]; Simona Halep (ROU) [12]; Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) [12]; Elise Mertens (BEL) [15]; Angelique Kerber (GER) [16]; Dan Evans (GBR) [24].
TOP LOSERS: Naomi Osaka (JPN) [3] (Defeated by Fernandez); Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRC) [3] (Defeated by Alcaraz); Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [18] (Defeated by Muguruza); Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [18] (Defeated by Aliassaime); Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [19] (Defeated by Halep); Ons Jabeur (TUN) [20] (Defeated by Mertens); Daria Kasatkina (RUS) [25] (Defeated by Svitolina); Sloane Stephens (USA) [Unseeded] (Defeated by Kerber).
QUOTES OF THE DAY
Kathryn Riley/USTA
Japanese third-seed and 2020 US Open champion Naomi Osaka’s thoughts on her future following her loss to unseeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez:
“Basically I feel like I’m kind of at this point where I’m trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match … I think I’m going to take a break from playing for a while.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
Spanish 9th seed Garbine Muguruza on the difficulty of this year’s draw and Simona Halep’s comments that every match is a semi-final:
“I feel like there [are] so many good players, that maybe your seeding, it doesn’t really matter … I do feel like her, that every match is difficult.”
CELEBRITIES
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Actor Michael Imperioli attends a Women’s Singles match between Leylah Fernandez and Naomi Osaka at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 3, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Past champion Stan Smith during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 3, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Fitness instructor Ally Love cheers during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Friday, Sep. 3, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Carlos Alcaraz & Stephanos Tsitsipas Photos by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Leylah Annie Fernandez &. Naomi Osaka Photos by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Naomi Osaka (Ball Toss Photo) by Kathryn Riley/USTA;
- Garbine Muguruza Photos by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Michael Imperioli Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Stan Smith Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA;
- Ally Love Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA.
***
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND – DAY FOUR
MATCH OF THE DAY
Pete Staples/USTA
Jenson Brooksby vs. Taylor Fritz
In an intense four sets of tennis unseeded American Jenson Brooksby defeats unseeded American Taylor Fritz. The first two sets were a back-and-forth battle between the pair, both ending in long tiebreakers. The final score – 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, 6-2.
This win brings Brooksby to his first-ever third-round appearance at a Grand Slam where he will face off against 21st-seed Aslan Karatsev.
IN OTHER NEWS
Pete Staples/USTA
The American fan-favorite doubles team of Coco Gauff and Caty McNally — affectionately known as “McCoco” — played their opening doubles match tonight.
In two sets, the 11th seeded pair defeated unseeded Carla Suarez Navarro and Sara Errani, the final score – 6-3, 6-4.
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Maria Sakkari (GRC) [17]; Annet Kontaveit (EST) [28]; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [14]; Belinda Bencic (CHE) [11]; Ashleigh Barty (AUS) [1]; Petra Kvitova (CZE) [10]; Jessica Pegula (USA) [23]; Angelique Kerber (GER) [16]; Reilly Opelka (USA) [22]; Matteo Berrettini (ITL) [6]; Alexander Zverev (GER) [4]; Aslan Karatsev (RUS) [21]; Gael Monfils (FRA) [17]; Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1].
TOP LOSERS: Paula Badosa (ESP) [24] (Defeated by Varvara Gracheva); Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [10] (Defeated by Andreas Seppi); Alexander Bublik (KAZ) [31] (Defeated by Jack Sock); Bianca Andreescu (CAN) [6];
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Image – USTA B-Roll
Australian first-seed Ashleigh Barty on researching and hiding player tendencies before a match:
“There are no secrets anymore. There certainly aren’t. I think sometimes when you haven’t played someone for the first time, obviously, there is that period where you’re feeling each other out and try and understand what patterns you’re going to play.
You can do all the homework you want for tendencies and kind of comforts of the other person, but when you match up against someone, there is always the option where they’re going to change and they’re going to adjust and adapt.”
CELEBRITIES
Darren Carroll/USTA
From the USTA: “Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets receives a signed tennis ball from Alexander Zverev during a Men’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 2, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Mike Lawrence/USTA
From the USTA: Actor Alex Wolff and AJR sibling bandmates Adam Met and Jack Met “during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 2, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
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Mike Lawrence/USTA
From the USTA: “Actor/Model Evan Mock and Actor Eli Brown during a Women’s Singles match at the 2021 US Open, Thursday, Sep. 2, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
- All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll;
- Jenson Brooksby Photo by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Coco Gauff & Caty McNally Photo by Pete Staples/USTA;
- Francisco Lindor Photo by Darren Carroll/USTA;
- Alex Wolff, Adam Met & Jack Met Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA;
- Evan Mock & Eli Brown Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA.
***
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST – DAY THREE
MATCH OF THE DAY
Image – USTA B-Roll
Sloane Stephens vs. Coco Gauff
Tonight was the first Grand Slam match between longtime friends Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens. In two quick sets, unseeded Stephens defeated 21st-seed Gauff, the final score – 6-4, 6-2.
Commenting on how it is to play against such close friends, Stephen said:
“I think the pressure is a little bit different when you play two people that you know well. It’s a different type of pressure. Obviously playing here at the US Open and playing Americans, it’s very different.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Tomorrow, the USTA will celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with the very first HBCU celebration at US Open.
Coinciding with this music, food, and entertainment event, the USTA, with support from the USTA Foundation and Tennis Industry United, is introducing the USTA David N. Dinkins HBCU Coaching Grant. The grant, named after the late New York City mayor, is intended to support the 38 HBCU that have varsity tennis programs.
About the grant and celebration, Mike McNulty, USTA chairman of the board and president, says:
“Tennis welcomes everyone, and our celebration of the impact of HBCU’s on our sport is a further example of our call to ‘Be Open.’ Mayor Dinkins was a great man, who did so much for so many, and this new coaching grant is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Naomi Osaka (JPN) [3]; Elise Mertens (BEL) [15]; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [18]; Ons Jabeur (TUN) [20]; Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [9]; Simona Halep (ROU) [12]; Andrey Rublev (RUS) [5]; Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5]; Daria Kasatkina (RUS) [25]; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [19]; Aryana Sabalenka (BLR) [2]; Danielle Collins (USA) [26]; Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [8]; Dan Evans (GBR) [24]; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) [12]; Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [18]; Jannik Sinner (ITL) [13]
TOP LOSERS: Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) [15] (Defeated by Alexei Popyrin); Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) [32] (Defeated by Kamila Rakhimova); Cristian Garin (CHL)[16] (Defeated by Henri Laaksonen); Casper Ruud (NOR) [8] (Defeated by Botic van de Zandshulp); Coco Gauff (USA) [21] (Defeated by Sloane Stephens).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Image – USTA B-Roll
Belarusian second-seed Aryana Sabalenka on how her deep run at Wimbledon has impacted her mentality coming into the US Open:
“I’m trying to [focus] on my game, what I should do to win this match, for example, or like I just try to stay in the moment. This is the only [difference] before I had a nice result [at] Wimbledon. I’m just trying to [focus] on my game and myself and stay in the moment. That’s it.”
CELEBRITIES
Garrett Ellwood/USTA
From the USTA: “Anna Wintour watches a Women’s Singles match between Sloane Stephens and Coco Gauff at the 2021 US Open, Wednesday, Sep. 1, 2021 in Flushing, NY. ”
Also in attendance today was former MLB pitcher CC Sabathia.
IMAGES
All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll; Anna Wintour Photo by Garrett Ellwood/USTA.
***
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31ST – DAY TWO
MATCHES OF THE DAY
Today was a great day for UCLA tennis, with two of their tennis alumni pulling off upsets against higher seeded players.
Mackenzie McDonald vs. David Goffin
Image – USTA B-Roll
In three sets, unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald defeated German 27th-seed David Goffin, giving McDonald his very first US Open win. The final score – 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
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Maxime Cressy vs. Pablo Carreno Busta
Image – USTA B-Roll
A few hours later, unseeded American Maxime Cressy defeated Spanish 9th-seed Pablo Carreno Busta. After losing the first two sets, Cressy proceeded to come back and pull out the win with a nail-biting fifth set where he saved four match points. The final score – 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-7.
IN OTHER NEWS
Image – USTA B-Roll
Czech 10th-seed Petra Kvitova took her 30th win at the US Open today with her victory over Polona Hercog, giving her more wins at the US Open than everyone in the draw but Victoria Azarenka.
In regards to achieving this milestone, Kvitova said:
“[The] US Open was never like the best Grand Slam for me. I [have] been struggling since I [was] young. In this humidity, it’s really tough for me to play. Actually, me achieving this number, it’s unbelievable, [to] be honest.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Reilly Opelka (USA) [22]; Alexander Zverev (GER) [4]; Aslan Karatsev (RUS) [21]; Alexander Bublik (KAZ) [31]; Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [10]; Matteo Berrettini (ITL) [6]; Jannik Sinner (ITL) [13]; Dennis Shapovalov (CAN) [7]; Gael Monfils (FRA) [17]; Marta Kostyuk (UKR) [17]; Karolina Pliskova (CZE) [4]; Petra Martic (HRV) [30]; Paula Badosa (ESP) [24]; Belinda Bencic (CHE) [11]; Ashleigh Barty (AUS) [1]; Jessica Pegula (USA) [23]; Iga Swiatek (POL) [7]; Annet Kontaveit (EST) [28]; Petra Kvitova (CZE) [10]; Alsion Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [14]; Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]; Bianca Andreescu (CAN) [6].
TOP LOSERS: Karen Khachanov (RUS) [25] (Defeated by Llyod Harris); David Goffin (BEL) [27] (Defeated by Mackenzie McDonald); Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) [20] (Defeated by Oscar Otte); Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) [9] (Defeated by Maxime Cressy); Fabio Fognini (ITL) [28] (Defeated by Vasek Pospisil); Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) [29] (Defeated by Sorana Cirstea); Karolina Muchova (CZE) [22] (Defeated by Sara Sorribes Tormo); Alex de Minaur (AUS) [14] (Defeated by Taylor Fritz).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
18-year-old Danish phenom Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune on how it is to play against tournament favorite Novak Djokovic:
“I think he’s incredibly consistent. He never gives you anything. You really have to win every point by yourself. Especially behind your service, you have to really put almost every first serve because otherwise, he’s stepping in on the baseline and really putting you under pressure. That’s just a huge pressure … he’s just a tough player to play.”
CELEBRITIES
Photos – Garrett Ellwood/USTA
FROM THE USTA: “[Actors] Rebel Wilson and Brittany Hockley watch a Men’s Singles match between Jordan Thompson and Gianluca Mager at the 2021 US Open, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 in Flushing, NY.”
IMAGES
All Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll; Rebel Wilson and Brittany Hockley Photos by Garrett Ellwood/USTA.
***
MONDAY, AUGUST 30TH – DAY ONE
Images – USTA B-Roll
MATCH OF THE DAY
Andy Murray vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
In a grueling five sets of tennis lasting almost five hours, Greek third-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas defeats Englishman Andy Murray, the final score – 2-6, 6-7, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This was the first time the two have matched up against each other, and the first time since 2017 that Murray won the first set against a top-five player.
Reflecting on the match and the rest of the tournament, Tsitsipas said: “I hope I’m able to keep my game at the same level that I managed today.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Image Capture – USTA
The USTA unveiled their first-ever NFT (non-fungible-token) collection today. These digital collectibles come in three tiers, with the scarcity and value going up each tier. At the highest level, there are one-of-a-kind tokens that come with several once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as an opportunity to play tennis with the Arthur Ashe Stadium, a meet-and-greet with a tennis star at the US Open, and even having one’s name engraved on US Open grounds.
Kirsten Corio, the Managing Director of Ticketing and Strategy at the USTA, says that these tokens offer “a number of accessible, modern and in some cases extraordinary ways to interact with the event and its champions in an increasingly popular digital realm.”
RESULTS
TOP WINNERS: Casper Ruud (NOR) [8]; Cristian Garin (CHL)[16]; Felix Auger Aliassime (CAN) [12]; Diego Schwartzman (ARG) [11]; Dan Evans (GBR) [24]; Andrey Rublev (RUS) [5]; Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [19]; Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS) [32]; Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [9]; Simona Halep (ROU) [12]; Danielle Collins (USA) [26]; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRC) [3]; Grigor Dimitrov (BGR) [15]; Casper Ruud (NOR) [8]; Angelique Kerber (GER) [16]; Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [8]; Coco Gauff (USA) [21]; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [18]; Elina Svitolina (UKR) [5]; Elise Mertens (BEL) [15]; Ons Jabeur (TUN) [20]; Daria Kasatkina (RUS) [25]; Aryana Sabalenka (BLR) [2]; Naomi Osaka (JPN) [3]; Daniil Medvedev (RUS) [2]; Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [18].
TOP LOSERS: John Isner (USA) [19] (Defeated by Brandon Nakashima); Marin Cilic (HRV) [30] (Defeated by Philipp Kohlschreiber); Ugo Humbert (FRA) [23] (Defeated by Peter Gojowczyk); Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) [31] (Defeated by Kaia Kanepi); Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) [29] (Defeated by Marco Trungelliti); Cameron Norrie (GBR) [26] (Defeated by Carlos Alcaraz Garfia).
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Andy Murray on Stefanos Tsitsipas and his many delays during the game:
“I think he’s a brilliant player. I think he’s great for the game. But I have zero time for that stuff at all, and I lost respect for him.”
Tsitsipas’ response:
“If there’s something that he has to tell me, we should speak the two of us to kind of understand what went wrong. I don’t think I broke any rules. I played by the guidelines.”
CELEBRITIES
Image – USTA B-Roll
Celebrities reported to be attending today include 39-time Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King, Vogue editrix Anna Wintour, fashion designer Vera Wang, TV personality Gayle King, entrepreneur Daymond John, former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson, TV personality Bill Macatee, NBA basketball coach Steve Nash, actor Alec Baldwin, Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn (pictured above), sports journalist Hannah Storm, and Broadway actors Aaron Tveit and Natalie Mendoza.
***
IMAGES
Images Courtesy of USTA Photos & B-Roll; US Open Logo and Placeholder Image Courtesy of the USTA.
