Quarter Finals Recap

09/08/2022 Quarter Finals Recap

By: Matthew Cahill

Recapping the Biggest Moments From the US Open’s Quarter Finals

The Quarter Finals came to a close last night, and we still can’t find the words to describe the match between Alcaraz and Sinner. Before the semis begin on Friday, here is all that went down the last couple of days.

 

Men’s

Kyrgios Throws Tantrum After Losing in 5 Sets.

This was supposed to be Nick Kyrgios breakthrough Grand Slam. The draw was wide open with the loss of the top seeds Medvedev and Nadal; however, that dream was dashed as Kyrgios lost in 5 sets to Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(3), 4-6. Unfortunately, for all the improvements and positives for Kyrgios in the last few months and at the US Open, it was quickly overshadowed by the meltdown after this match, where he smashed two racquets into oblivion.

 

Ruud advances in straight sets over Berrettini. 

Casper Ruud came out firing and at one point led 6-1, 5-1. Matteo Berrettini eventually got going and was up 5-2 in the 3rd set before succumbing to Ruud, who saved two set points, en route to a straight-set victory and a spot in the semifinals where he will face Khachanov.

 

Tiafoe shines as he beats Rublev.

Tiafoe continues his hot streak with a strong 7-6(3), 7-6(0), 6-4 win over Rublev to advance to his first semifinals of the US Open. He became the first Black American man to reach the US Open semifinal since Arthur Ashe did it in 1972, and he accomplished this feat on the very court named after Arthur Ashe. He also became the first US man to reach the US Open semifinals in 16 years, and if he wins 2 more matches, he will end a 19-year drought since the last time an American man won a Grand Slam title (Andy Roddick in 2003).

 

Sinner & Alcaraz’s Instant Classic

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz put on one of the greatest matches the US Open has ever seen. A match that lasted over five hours and didn’t end until 2:50 AM (my eyes hurt while typing this) had Arthur Ashe stadium rocking into the early hours of the morning. Ultimately, it was Alcaraz who came out on top, but both young stars showed they are going to be in the hunt for Grand Slams for many years to come.

 

Watch: Carlos Alcaraz’s Incredible Behind-the-Back Shot 

 

Women’s

Gauff loses in straight sets to Garcia.

All eyes were on Coco Gauff to take up the mantle that Serena Williams had left behind. Unfortunately, Gauff was cut short as her US Open run ended against Caroline Garcia 3-6, 4-6. Garcia got off to a quick start in both sets, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first and a 3-1 lead in the second set. Gauff would mount a comeback both times but was unable to overcome Garcia as she fell in straight sets. The win makes Garcia the first Frenchwoman to make a major semifinals since 2013 and is her first semifinals in any Grand Slam.

 

Jabeur outlasts Tomljanovic 

In a sloppy match that featured more unforced errors than winners on both sides, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur was able to outlast Ajla Tomljanovic and punch her ticket to the semis. It was a frustrating match for both sides, as Tomljanovic, who was coming off her big win against Serena, hit 9 double faults, two of which came when she was serving for the 2nd set. After the match, Jabeur apologized for tossing her racquet a few times out of frustration.

 

Sabalenka wins in straight sets over Pliskova 6-1, 7-6(4)

Aryna Sabalenka came out blazing and took a commanding 4-0 lead with the help of Karolina Pliskova’s faltering service games, where Pliskova double-faulted three times leading to two breaks of serve. Sabalenka never looked back and played a dominant match hitting seven aces and is headed to her second straight US Open semifinals.

 

Świątek on to her third Grand Slam semifinals of 2022

Despite being the top-ranked American, and the only American remaining in the women’s draw, Jessica Pegula was seemingly the underdog against Iga Świątek. The match was a tale of two stories; where both women held their serves for the better part of the first set, but were then each broken five times in the second set. Ultimately Świątek found the mini breaks and took advantage to close out Pegula 6-3, 7-6(4). Świątek becomes the first Polish player to make the semifinals at the US Open in the Open Era (since 1968).

 

Photo: Corey Sipkin / Getty Images