Well thank you for joining me for this live coverage of the US Open. We have seen players like Tommy Paul, Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner progress to the next round. There is more action from New York taking place over the next few hours so do keep across our tennis page for any news lines. We will be back tomorrow with more action for you. Have a good rest of the day/night.
Tommy Paul said: “He was all over my serve, it was a rollercoaster first and fourth set. I am happy to get through that one.
“I know he has a great serve and he is hard to break, I tried to change things up. He returned a lot better than I thought he was going to.”
A recap of the Jack Draper game earlier today:
Paul will play Sinner in the next round, a tricky match with the Italian among the favourites to win this tournament.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 6-7 (3-7) Paul
The first player to seven points will take this set, if Paul wins it he’ll win the match. The American wins the first and the Canadian gets the second. Diallo smacks the net next and before hitting a ball out – Paul leads 3-1. The American extends his lead with a good shot and after a long rally Diallo comes to the net but the ball clips it and gets past him. Paul just needs two more points and he is through. Diallo hits the net and Paul now has five match points. He doesn’t get it the first time of asking and a double fault sees Diallo cut his lead to 6-3. He marshals the ball well to beat Diallo and he goes through.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 6-6 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Diallo needs to hold now or Paul will progress. Paul whacks it out but then Diallo does the same thing, 15-15. Diallo works a smash well and again a powerful shot sees him 40-15 up. And he holds, to a tiebreak we go.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 5-6 Paul (* denotes next server)
Diallo put in a forehand winner and plays so sublime tennis to get a 30-0 lead on Paul’s serve. Paul lodges his first point in the game and then Diallo sends a shot long to see it 30-30. Diallo get to break point but Paul responds to get to deuce. Diallo sends a strong shot down Paul’s channel and he falls to the floor to try and return but he doesn’t, Diallo has another break point but he hits the net! Paul gets the advantage but again we go back to deuce. Back and forth to deuce we go with Paul holding.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 5-5 Paul* (* denotes next server)
The crowd are really showing their support for Paul here, he needs to break to win this set and match. Diallo must be under pressure but he wins the first point on his service game. Paul puts it long and he does so again, he puts in a challenge but it is out. The Canadian holds and this match remains unpredictable.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 4-5 Paul (* denotes next server)
If Paul holds here he will hold all of the cards in this match. If he wins this set, he’ll win the match. He races to 40-0 and he holds, this is incredible. From 3-0 down to 5-4. Huge.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 4-4 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Even though he has the upper hand in this set the pressure feels as though it is on Diallo’s shoulders. It is starting with show with Paul winning the first two points and an error from Diallo gifts Paul break point. Diallo hits the net and the crowd are in rapturous applause.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 4-3 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul races to a 40-0 lead and he expertly holds. This is impossible to predict.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 4-2 Paul* (* denotes next server)
The cheers just get louder and louder but Diallo is working to silence them, they are level at 30-30. A forehand shot from Diallo is out and Paul twirls the racquet on his finger as he looks to break. He can’t do it on the first time of asking with a long shot taking the game to deuce. Diallo wins advantage and he holds, that is huge from the Canadian.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 3-2 Paul (* denotes next server)
The crowd are roaring behind Paul now and every point he wins is met with cheers. Paul holds cleanly and he is firmly back in this set.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 3-1 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Diallo hits the net but an ace levels the game. The Canadian get the upper hand next and an ace puts him close to holding – this is so impressive from the player who came through qualifying – but Paul wins the next point. And now it is deuce, Paul is not fading here. Diallo may be 6ft 8in but he has missed a ball which was lofted over his head, Paul has advantage now. Diallo then hits the net. This is remarkable.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6, 3-0 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul needs to get into this set and he does so with a smash but Diallo replies with a forehand winner. They level again and the form of both has levelled again now, a great battle taking place now. Paul smacks the net and Diallo has break point, Diallo fist pumps at the prospect. But we head to deuce though and after a long rally Diallo gains advantage and he breaks. This is incredible.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6 2-0 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Diallo opens his service game with two points and Paul looks down at his racquet as he searches for answers to the questions being asked of him at the moment. Paul then can’t return a serve and Diallo cruises to a hold.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6 1-0 Paul (* denotes next server)
Diallo needs to get back in his form now, this is a set he needs to win to go through here. The first point of the fourth set goes to Diallo on Paul’s serve. Paul forces a shot long but Diallo’s return hits the net. A really long rally follows and Diallo plays a clever shot to gain break point and he gets it!
Paul wins third set. Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-6 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Diallo needs to hold here or he will lose this set. They get to 15-15 and Diallo hit the net next. A lovely shot from Paul sees him get to break point, it did clip the net so he apologises to Diallo. He then wins the point to take the set.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-5 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul is playing some of his best tennis in this game now and Diallo seems to be cruising into the next set where he will have to win to stay in the match. Paul holds and he is in the driving seat firmly now.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 1-4 Paul* (* denotes next server)
A double fault from Diallo, this set is quickly slipping through his fingers. He hits back but Diallo double faults again, the Canadian levels the game again though. He then gets to the brink of holding and he does.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 0-4 Paul (* denotes next server)
Can he consolidate the break? He cruises his way to 40-0 and he holds so slickly.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 0-3 Paul* (* denotes next server)
If you blinked you would have missed it, a clinical break from Paul.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 0-2 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul starts his service game well and he adds to it with a great drop shot. Diallo comes close to the net and Paul’s return hits the net, a great move from the Canadian. He wins another point and looks to consolidate the break but instead Diallo battles to deuce. The Canadian gets advantage and break point but Paul fights back to deuce and adds another point to get advantage himself. A double fault though and we’re back to deuce. We go back and forth but he secures the hold.
Caroline Wozniacki beats Jessika Ponchet in straight sets.
The star wins 6-3, 6-2.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 0-1 Paul* (* denotes next server)
We have at least two more sets to go in this one, which is amazing news as some good tennis is being played out on court. 15-15, Paul has a bit too much on his forehand to give Diallo the lead but the American battles back to level it once more. Diallo’s forehand looked to be a winner but instead it goes out and Paul has break point and he gets it. He is in the ascendency.
Paul wins second set. Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 3-6 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul hits the net as he attempts a drop shot but he gets the first of four points he needs next. He gets to 30-15 but he fails on a volley with Diallo levelling the game. He does go to set point and he gets it after a great rally.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 3-5 Paul* (* denotes next server)
So Diallo needs to hold or the second set will be going the way of Paul. Two shots have gone out for Paul, Diallo is playing well under pressure. The Canadian whacks the net but he then holds. Paul will serve for the set.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 2-5 Paul (* denotes next server)
An ace from Paul opens this service and then Diallo hits the net. The Canadian forces a shot long and a clever hit sees the American hold.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 2-4 Paul* (* denotes next server)
The pair are level at 15-15 but Paul wins the next point, he then has to redo his shoelaces before play gets back underway. Diallo hits back to level it again and then holds.
Karolina Muchova has responded to Chris Evert’s comment on ESPN where she said the Czech “wants to play like a guy”. Evert has since apologised for the comment.
Muchova said: : “I don’t think I play like a man. I don’t know what to say about that. I don’t really know what she said. But obviously I took some inspiration from, let’s name Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic. I like to follow what they do. Then it kind of inspires me. I don’t think I play that way.”
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 1-4 Paul (* denotes next server)
Paul is being ruthless in this service game and gets to 40-0 quickly. Diallo’s drop shot goes out and the American holds.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 1-3 Paul* (* denotes next server)
Diallo races to 30-0 as he aims to win his first game in this second set. Paul hits back with a stunning backhand shot but then he sends it out to put Diallo on the edge of holding and he does.
Liudmila Samsonova has convincingly beaten Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets.
Samsonova won 6-1, 6-1.
Diallo* 7-6 (7-5), 0-3 Paul (* denotes next server)
These two are going toe-to-toe and are 15-15 on Paul’s serve but the American manages to hold and he consolidates the break.
Diallo 7-6 (7-5), 0-2 Paul* (* denotes next server)
We join the game at deuce on Diallo’s serve. The commentators are saying Paul has stepped up his tennis in this game. The American wins the advantage and follows through with the break.
Thank you Alex! I will keep you up to date with everything that happens over the next few hours but let’s focus in on Gabriel Diallo v Tommy Paul.
The 6ft 8in Gabriel Diallo wins the first set against Tommy Paul at Louis Armstrong – it was a tightly fought opener, won 7-5 on a tiebreak. He’s getting some crowd support too, either from Canadian fans or just those sympathetic to the underdog. Wozniacki wins her first set as well; 6-3 against Ponchet. And, on that bombshell, I’m going to hand you back to the expertise of Sarah Rendell. Thanks!
It does not appear that Krueger will be supplying today’s feelgood US victory for the home crowd, unless she can produce a spectacular turnaround against Samsonova. The latter leads 6-1, 3-0. Meanwhile, Wozniacki is 5-2 up on Ponchet, the former world No 1 looks in control so far.
The favourite for the men’s US Open title is through in the most straightforward of style. Sinner serves out on Arthur Ashe without trouble. He looked as cool as cucumber in that dominant victory. Will it be Tommy Paul next on Monday? Or can Gabriel Diallo spring the upset? We shall see.
Sinner leads O’Connell 5-2 in the third set, so he’s just one game from victory. The player the Australian Open champion will face in the next round if/when he closes this out? Why, I’m glad you asked, it’s the winner of the North American duel between No 14 seed Tommy Paul (USA) and Gabriel Diallo (Canada). They’re locked at 5-5 in the first set.
Liudmila Samsonova has an early advantage over home player Ashlyn Krueger in the women’s singles: the Russian player is 4-1 ahead in the first set. Also just starting is Caroline Wozniacki against Jessika Ponchet – Wozniacki holding serve in the opening game.
Our writer in NYC, Tumaini Carayol, has written about Novak Djokovic’s shock third-round defeat. Well worth a read!
As Novak Djokovic sat down to dissect his startling third-round defeat at the US Open in the early hours of Saturday morning he no longer had the patience to mince his words. He had played so terribly throughout his time in New York, he noted, that reaching the third round had actually been a success. Most of all, he felt drained after a long, intense summer.
“Obviously it had an effect,” said Djokovic. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it’s the US Open, gave it a shot and I tried my best. I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas.”
Jack Draper will face Tomas Machac in the fourth round; he also won in three sets earlier. This side of the draw has really opened up so both players will sense an opportunity. Meanwhile, Sinner is already a break up in the third set against O’Connell. Another straight-set win looks to be on the cards.
Jannik Sinner has won the second set against Christopher O’Connell: he leads 6-1, 6-4. We’ve seen some big upsets in the men’s singles this week in Flushing Meadows but it does not look like the world No 1 is about to join that list – he’s firmly in control so far.
“A solid match, a little bit scrappy. A bit up and down,” says Jack Draper, probably a little modestly, his hair flopping into his face in the manner of a young Hugh Grant. “Last year I had a tough years with injuries, but this year I have been able to stay on court … this is what I put all the hard work in for. I’m really greatful to all the people around me and the support I get.”
Jack Draper absolutely cruises through against Botic van de Zandschulp. He wins that service game – saving the ninth of his 10 break points – to take victory with his first match point. He hasn’t dropped a set as he goes into the second week. For Van de Zandschulp, perhaps a case of after the lord mayor’s show after his win against Carlos Alcaraz.
Just before Draper looks to close out this match I am handing over to Alex Reid. Enjoy and see you in an hour.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-5 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp opens his service game with three double faults, Draper on break point without hitting a ball. He then won the next point and so Draper will serve for the match.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 4-6, 2-4 Draper (* denotes the next server)
Draper leads 30-15 on his serve, if he can hold here to back up the break he really will be in full control of this match. He gets to 40-15 but sends it out to allow Van de Zandschulp more opportunity to battle back. Draper holds and this looks like it will be the Brit’s day.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-3 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
A smash levels Van de Zandschulp’s service game 15-15 but he sends it out to give Draper the lead but the Dutchman levels it again. Draper has break point after an error from Van de Zanderschulp and a double fault does it. Draper in the driving seat.
Van de Zandschulp* 3-6, 4-6, 2-2 Draper (* denotes the next server)
The overarching topic of this match is Draper’s tough service games. He has managed to come through them largely unscathed but that is more about Van de Zandschulp’s errors. But this one is an easy breeze with Draper up to 40-0. And he holds.
Van de Zandschulp 3-6, 4-6, 2-1 Draper* (* denotes the next server)
Van de Zandschulp gets to 30-0 after some errors from Draper but gets a point on the board with a long shot from the Dutch player. The drop shot from Draper is a tactic Van de Zandschulp knows too well now and he plants a perfect return to lead 40-15. And he holds.
Tommy Paul v Gabriel Diallo is just getting underway. Elsewhere in the men’s singles Sinner leads O’Connell 2-1 in the second set after winning the first 6-1.
