Anastasija Sevastova advanced to her first career Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Johanna Konta.
Advertisement
Konta, 25, recovered to 5-5 from 4-1 down in the second set and also survived two matches points against the world number 48, but ultimately conceded victory when she lost her serve for the final time on Arthur Ashe Court.
It was evident that the Latvian was extremely nervous, with a poor drop shot when leading 15-0 getting Konta in the game, and after the Brit saved a match point with a backhand victor, Sevastova became hesitant and a lob victor by Konta handed the break back.
Sevastova, who quit the sport for the best part of two years between 2013 and 2015, will play either Madison Keys of the United States or two-time runner-up Caroline Wozniacki for a place in the semi-finals. I think I needed to perhaps be a little more offensive in certain parts and also be able to just move a bit better.
Given their relative histories – Pouille never had been to a Grand Slam quarterfinal until Wimbledon this year – Nadal might have been considered the favourite at that moment.
As both women were returning better than serving, there were plenty of breaks – 12 in 22 games – and Sevastova served for both sets without getting the job done either time.
“In the end I just stop thinking and I just try to play tennis”, Sevastova said. Anyone’s match to win.
Konta’s on-court collapse during her second round win hit the headlines and she admitted that she was still conscious of conserving her energy levels during yesterday’s match.
“There were things I could do better”.
The world number 48 knocked out Garbine Muguruza in the second round, and is showing her quality after coming back to tennis in 2015 after almost two years away from the sport.
French 10th seed Gael Monfils reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the third time yesterday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
Sevastova, who’s ranked 48th, was such an unknown coming into the U.S. Open that initially her picture wasn’t included in the official tournament app. “I think it just sucks for some of the other players who have to play me early”.
Advertisement
“I was injured on and off, it was tough to play, it was not any fun and kind of depressing”.
