US Open: Sinner digs deep, Swiatek through, Gauff-Osaka showdown next
Sinner survives Shapovalov, Swiatek rallies past Kalinskaya and Gauff-Osaka headline a thrilling last-16 at the US Open.
New Delhi: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner escaped his first real scare of the 2025 US Open as he made a composed comeback after losing the first set. Sinner was pushed hard by Denis Shapovalov inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and even managed to survive a break point that would have left him trailing 0-4 in the third set.
The Italian steadied himself, flipped the script and stormed to a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win. In all, he rattled off nine games in a row during a dramatic swing that turned the match from an upset watch to a comfortable victory in just over three hours.
Sinner admitted after the match, "It was a very, very tough match today. I’ve known Denis for quite a while, so I knew I had to play at a high level. He started really well, but I just tried to stay there mentally.”
The 24-year-old didn't drop more than three games in any set through the opening two rounds, winning 12 of the last 15 games to book his place in the last 16. The result also extended his winning streak at hard-court majors to 24 matches. In the process, the defending champion also became the fourth-youngest man to win at least 20 matches at all four Grand Slams, joining Rafael Nadal, Boris Becker and Novak Djokovic.
Swiatek through in straight sets
Top seed Iga Swiatek showed her resilience after a slow start against Anna Kalinskaya. The Pole fell behind 5-1 in the opening set and stared down four set points but clawed her way back to force a tiebreak, which she dominated 7-2. With the momentum firmly on her side, Swiatek closed out a 7-6(2), 6-4 win in just under two hours.
That victory carried her into the round of 16 for the fifth straight year and marked her 23rd main-draw triumph at the US Open. She only boasts a better record at singles major at Roland Garros with 40 wins.
Gauff and Osaka set blockbuster clash
Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka set up a meeting in a marquee showdown. They last faced each other back at the US Open in 2019 when Osaka swept aside 15-year-old Gauff in straight sets but a lot has changed since then.
Now, Gauff is the No. 3 seed and a two-time Grand Slam champion. She eased past Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-1 in her third-round match. On the other hand, Osaka, who is back on the Grand Slam stage as a mother and chasing a fifth major title, battled past Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
So far, in their head to head record Gauff leads by 3-2 but Osaka has fond memories of New York and is eager for the crowd’s support. "It’s tough playing an American here, but I hope you’ve adopted me as well,” she smiled.
The occasion will also bring back memories of teenage debut for Gauff against Osaka. The clash between the two will definitely be one of the highlights of the second week in New York.