Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter-finals, but Rafael Nadal was eliminated in NY.
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He played crisply in his win Sunday over 21-year-old Kyle Edmund, who was in his first Grand Slam round of 16, but it’s still unclear just how healthy or sharp Djokovic is.
Yes, he had taken a pasting from Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 and, yes, he was out of the US Open, but he could sense – as could everyone else – that the past week represented a huge stepping stone.
“I think it’s exciting nerves”, Edmund said. 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.
“I want to wish him all the best”.
The quarter-final has been dubbed as a battle between Del Potro’s hammer of a forehand and Wawrinka’s precision backhand. “I’m most pleased with that”. The Serb, who had won their only other meeting 6-3, 6-3 at Miami earlier this year, was ruthlessly efficient; he was as frighteningly flexible on defense as ever, sliding and stretching and returning everything.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning at around 02:00 United Kingdom time tournament favourite Novak Djokovic faces his first real threat of the fortnight when he takes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the 22nd time.
And Lucas Pouille outlasted 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in a five-set classic to lead a trio of Frenchmen into the quarterfinals of the US Open.
Djokovic kept his foot on the gas in the second set and continued to trouble Edmund, who had no answer to the top seed.
Djokovic began to look at his box. Suddenly there was a sense that it could become an uncomfortable night for the Serb.
The match lasted one hour and 55 minutes and was controlled by the world leader.
The No. 1 concern to Djokovic, though, will be the seven double faults he committed, and the paltry three aces he sent down. Edmund’s defeat means Andy Murray is the last Briton left in the singles, while Djokovic goes on to face France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last eight.
Also, Djokovic received medical attention on his “right” hand during the match.
When asked why he called for the trainer, Djokovic smiled and tried to bat away any concern with his characteristic humour. “I like Clay. That was a little deal we had before the match”. “Not that I didn’t believe in my game, but it’s nice to actually do it on a big stage against some good players”.
“It has been a good tournament for me but there obviously still a lot of stuff I can improve on but there are loads are positives”.
On the other hand, Andy Murray is undoubtedly the most fit player now, and going by his current form, he certainly has a great chance of winning another major.
But Edmund, 21, remained upbeat after a tournament performance that saw him knock out Richard Gasquet and John Isner, ranked 15th and 21st respectively.
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“It’s getting better and better each day”.
