TALSIK na si defending champion Iga Swiatek sa US Open makaraang mabigo kay Jelena Ostapenko at mawawala ang kanyang number one ranking, habang nagmartsa si Novak Djokovic sa quarterfinals.
Kinuha ni Swiatek ang opening set laban kay Ostapenko subalit bumawi ang unpredictable Latvian upang maitakas ang 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 panalo, at ang kanyang ika-4 na tagumpay sa parehong dami ng pagharap sa Polish star.
Makakasagupa ni Ostapenko, na hindi pa umaabot sa last 16 sa New York bago ang linggong ito, si title contender at home favorite Coco Gauff sa last eight.
“She plays well against me, she’s always done that,” sabi ni Swiatek. “I’m just surprised that my level changed so drastically. I don’t really know what happened with my game, I felt no control suddenly.”
Ang 75-week reign ni Swiatek ay magtatapos na kung saan papalitan siya ni rival Aryna Sabalenka sa top spot.
“I always expect a tough battle against Iga, she’s such a great player and won many Slams and is so consistent,” ani Ostapenko, ang 20th seed at 2017 French Open champion.
“I knew I had to be aggressive and play my game because that’s what she doesn’t like.
“I was just thinking that I have to play until the very last point, until we shake hands. I felt like I was playing better and didn’t give her many chances.”
Samantala, umusad si Djokovic sa kanyang ika-13 US Open quarterfinals makaraang gapiin si 105th-ranked Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.
Makakabangga niya si American No. 1 Taylor Fritz sa susunod na round.
Sisikapin ng 36-year-old Serbian star na maipagpatuloy ang kanyang dominasyon kay Fritz, ang player na tinalo niya sa lahat ng pitong huling pagtatagpo, kabilang ang one-sided affair sa Cincinnati noong nakaraang buwan.
“He’s been playing some terrific tennis particularly on home soil here in the States,” sabi ni Djokovic patungkol kay Fritz, ang tanging player na hindi pa natatalo sa set sa kasalukuyan.
“Obviously the matches are going to get tougher from here onwards and I’m ready. It’s going to be great.”
Si Fritz ay naging ikatlong American man na umusad sa quarterfinals matapos ang straight-sets win kontra Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker noong Linggo.
