AN intriguing round of results finished off the Round of 64 at the 2020 US Open, with a couple of matches postponed due to the weather, but majority of the games going off without a hitch despite some huge seeds dropping across the board. Three significant losses made the news on Day 4 of play, with fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka and 10th seed Garbine Muguruza going down in straight sets, while seventh seed Brit Johanna Konta lost to unseeded Sorana Cirstea in a huge three setter that went for almost three hours.

In an all-Belarusian clash, former world number one Victoria Azarenka dominated Sabalenka in a huge 6-1 6-3 demolition, winning 77 per cent of points off her first serve and relatively clean compared to her seeded opposition who racked up a whopping 27 unforced errors.

“I’m really happy that two Belarusian are showing such great tennis on the biggest stages in the world, so I’m really proud of that. Sharing the court with Aryna is a pleasure for me; I saw her when she was growing up, and I’m really glad that she’s playing really well,” Azarenka said. “When you face someone you want to beat them, but that’s only on the court. Last year she won, so this year I had to play better. I knew how dangerous she is, and I feel like I’m a better player this year. I changed a couple things and was able to finish it today.”

Accounting for Muguruza was Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova, who has mounted a comeback to the tour in her first major competition since 2017, winning 7-5 6-3 in under 90 minutes. While Muguruza appeared to be in control of proceedings, Pironkona had nothing to lose and said just that in her post-match interview.

“Coming here [to make the US Open] my first tournament was a bit risky,” Pironkova said. “But at the same time, I was really excited and very motivated to play well on this big stage. And I think that motivation kept me pushing…I’m not gonna hide, I didn’t expect in my first tournament to play so well. But it’s welcome! That is what I came back for – for these matches.”

Meanwhile, Serena Williams had to nullify a fast-starting Margarita Gasparyan, while fellow compatriots Sofia Kenin, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova and Sloane Stephens all also got wins on the board in another successful day for the United States. Keys came away with the quickest win of the day – in a day of many hour long matches – accounting for Aliona Bolsova in just 54 minutes.

Donna Vekic (18th seed), Maria Sakkari (15th), Karolina Muchova (20th) and Ons Jabeur (27th) were the four remaining seeds to head through to the next round, with just Sakkari taken to three sets by her opposition in American Bernarda Pera, while Alize Cornet defeated Ysaline Bonaventure in the only unseeded battle to be complete on the day. 

Three matches are yet to be complete thanks to rain suspending play, with youngster Iga Swiatek trailing American Sachia Vickery 6-7, while Elise Mertens was having a better time against Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo, having won the first set 6-3 and owning the first game of the second set to lead 1-0 at the break. Casey McNally will also hope to join the United States’ winners list, having closely lost the first set to Ekaterina Alexandrova and coming out strong to take the match to a third set with scores currently sitting at 4-6 6-3.