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Ostapenko dumps defending champion Swiatek out of US Open

Djokovic cruised into the last eight of the year's final Grand Slam with a 6-2 7-5 6-4 over Borna Gojo

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Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia reacts after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland. — AFP

By Reuters

Published: Mon 4 Sep 2023, 9:10 AM

Defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek exited the US Open in the fourth round on Sunday after she unravelled 3-6 6-3 6-1 against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Polish four-times Grand Slam winner had not dropped a set before Sunday's match but was unable to hold off the confident 20th seed’s charge.

Ostapenko fired off a crisp forehand winner to break her opponent's serve on match point, pumping her fist as she extended her career head-to-head record against Swiatek to 4-0.

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The 2017 Roland Garros champion next faces American sixth seed Coco Gauff, who beat wildcard Caroline Wozniacki in three sets earlier in the day.

"I always expect a tough battle against Iga," Ostapenko said. "I knew I had to play my game. I have to be aggressive because that's what she doesn't really like and I was just fighting until the very last point."

Meanwhile, after a five-set nailbiter in the previous round, Novak Djokovic was in no mood for another tense evening at the US Open on Sunday and the Serb cruised into the last eight of the year's final Grand Slam with a 6-2 7-5 6-4 over Borna Gojo.

Djokovic had endured a far more testing match on Friday, having to come back from two-sets down against Laslo Djere to keep alive his bid for a fourth US Open title that would see him match Margaret Court's record haul of 24 Grand Slams.

On Sunday, the 36-year-old Serb broke to open the contest and was never threatened as Gojo managed only a single break chance in the entire match.

Djokovic committed just 12 unforced errors compared to 40 by the 105th ranked Croat, who was under constant pressure and had his serve broken five times before the second seed closed out the contest with his 12th ace.

"I was watching him play qualifications, last couple of rounds of the main draw, and saw that he's a big shot player," said Djokovic after his 98th career match at Flushing Meadows, where he trails only Jimmy Connors (115) and Roger Federer (103).

"Obviously serve and forehand big weapons. He moves pretty well for a big guy.

"In a best-of-five sets I try to manage my energy and focus on accuracy with my serve.

"I think I've done well in important moments and just glad to get through in straight sets."

Next up for Djokovic is top-ranked American and ninth seed Taylor Fritz, who advanced with a tidy 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker.

Fritz will head into the showdown as the only player yet to drop a set but still stinging from the 6-0 6-4 beating Djokovic laid on him in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.

"Obviously Taylor has been now an established top-10 player for the last couple of years," said Djokovic, who has won all seven career meetings with Fritz. "He has been playing some terrific tennis, particularly on home soil on hardcourt tournaments.

"He has improved so much over the years so, obviously the matches are only going to get tougher from now onwards and I'm ready for the challenge.

"It's going to be great."

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Reuters

Published: Mon 4 Sep 2023, 9:10 AM

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