Meanwhile, top seed Novak Djokovic, starved for competitive action, feasted against unseeded Briton Kyle Edmund, gobbling up a large serving of points in a 6-2 6-1 6-4 romp that put him into the quarter-finals.
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Edmund and Andy Murray gave Britain two men in the round of 16 at the American Grand Slam tournament for the first time in 50 years, back when it was known as the U.S. Championships.
But Djokovic, who had two walkovers in the last two rounds, outlcassed the Briton from start to finish on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sevastova became the first Latvian woman in 22 years to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal when she beat British 13th seed Johanna Konta 6-4 7-5.
“Considering the stage of the season, the amount of matches I’ve played, what I’ve been through with my body, I think it’s actually good to have some days off and then shorter matches”, said Djokovic, chasing a third major of 2016.
Djokovic was rusty that day in Canada having not played a tournament since Wimbledon and there’s a chance that he may be coming into this one a little undercooked too. The world number 84 ripped a backhand cross court victor to move to break point but could not convert that chance or a second as the defending champion held for 2-0.
And it was evident why Djokovic is the top-ranked player during his quick win over Kyle Edmund in the fourth round Sunday.
Edmund, 21, was one of three British men to make the third round – the first time that there have been so many at that stage in NY since 1968.
Djokovic is back and he finally played a whole match without his opponents retiring. A trainer worked on it after the third game of the third set, and it has been worked on in Djokovic’s opening match against Jerzy Janowicz, which he won in four sets. “I’m looking forward to that one. I had some great matches against him in the past”.
“I feel great at this moment physically”, he purred, after his 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory.
A year ago, Vinci beat Williams in the semifinals, then lost to good friend Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the first Grand Slam final for each.
Until the issue with the right arm resurfaced in the third set against Edmund, Djokovic appeared rather rested and ready.
Edmund held easily in the first game, but saw the match quickly get away from him despite there being a few holes in the Serbian’s game early on.
“With his serve, you see how many aces he hits, when you get a racket on the ball you have to get in court and hustle”.
The defending champion will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a spot in the semi-finals.
The 29-year-old Serb needed treatment during the third set as the trouble he had with his upper arm in the first round flared up again.
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“It’s going to be tough playing the world No1”. Third-seeded Stan Wawrinka, sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan, eighth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem and former champion Juan Martin del Potro will also battle for quarterfinal berths.
