ONLY second seed Daniil Medvedev had an easy day out as the first half of the quarter finals were decided at the US Open today. The Russian second favourite for the Grand Slam crown showed no signs of slowing down in Flushing Meadows, as the only player into the quarter finals without dropping a set. This time the player on the receiving end was 24th seed Brit Daniel Evans, who tumbled out 6-3 6-4 6-3 in their Round of 16 clash.

Medvedev needed an hour and 43 minutes to win on Arthur Ashe Stadium, serving 13 aces and hitting 43 winners for only 20 unforced errors, as Evans had few answers to the Russian’s power. The Brit tried to impact at the net, but could only managed 60 per cent of his points, and had lower serving percentages than his opponent, with only 24 winners for 17 unforced errors. Medvedev broke five times to one during the match to book his place in in the quarter finals.

“Today I liked my serve better,” Medvedev said post-match. “But there was one forehand return that for me was the best shot of the match, so if we take one shot it has to be this one, but if we take the whole match it has to be the serve.”

The Russian will come up against an opponent he would not have been expecting in the final eight, after Dutch qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp continued his stunning run with an upset five-set win over 11th seed Diego Schwartzman. Amazingly, the Dutchman looked in control for most of the early going against the diminutive Argentinian, winning the first two sets 6-3 6-4, before Schwartzman’s typical grit and determination came to the fore to level the scores at two sets apiece. All that work was in vain though, as Van de Zandschulp ran away with the match in the final set to post a 6-3 6-4 5-7 5-7 6-1 win in four hours and 20 minutes.

The 25-year-old turned professional in 2013, but had only played one match prior to 2021, winning his first ATP Tour match this year, though he has amassed a few impressive victories over top ranked players such as Reilly Opelka and Hubert Hurkacz among his five victories in 2021. Already he has added another four to that total in Flushing Meadows – and seven straight with his three qualifying wins. He smashed 55 winners with 15 aces to overpower Schwartzman (30 and one), though had the 72 unforced errors, but a better percentage than the usually unfazed Schwartzman’s 51.

“I played so many matches here, some of them I was on the brink of defeat, and for the first time in the tournament I have won the first set,” van de Zandschulp said post-match. “The first two I almost ended up losing the match, but I am glad I won in the end.”

The other quarter final features two future stars of the ATP Tour in 21-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime and 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Auger-Aliassime came back from a set down to post a win over home nation hope Frances Tiafoe, defeating the United States representative in three hours and 24 minutes, 4-6 6-2 7-6 6-4. Auger-Aliassime was on-song with his serve, putting down 24 aces to 10, and winning 84 per cent of his first serve points off a 62 per cent clip. He also hit 56 winners for only 43 unforced errors, compared to Tiafoe’s 41 and 36 respectively.

“It was a tough start for me—a lot of nerves,” Auger-Aliassime said post-match. “I felt like I would be able to break back in the first set, but it is what it is. You’ve got to accept it. I played a great second set. Then the third set was almost a coin toss. He raised his level again. I just had to stay strong with my serve in the end. It’s a great win for me and I’m happy to be through.”

Meanwhile Alcaraz had to fight through his second consecutive five-setter, somehow powering past German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk with a eye-opening final two sets. Alcaraz was the favourite going in after his upset win over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, but with more time on court compared to his opponent, it was little surprise to see the Spaniard fall behind two sets to one. He found something though, only dropping two games in the last two sets to blow his opponent off the court and win, 7-5 1-6 7-5 6-2 6-0.

“The first set was really, really tough,” Alcaraz said post-match. “But I start the second set with more power than the first set. I forgave the first set, and still focus on what I have to do in the second set. So it’s a really good performance in the second set for me.”

US OPEN ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:

[2] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [24] Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-3 6-4 6-3
[Q] Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) defeated Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 6-3 6-4 5-7 5-7 6-1
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated Frances Tiafoe (USA) 4-6 6-2 7-6 6-4
Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [Q] Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-2 6-0

Picture credit: Darren Carroll/USTA