Andy Murray's streak of consecutive U.
S. Open quarterfinals appearances came to an end on Monday at the 2015 U.S. Open,as South Africa's Kevin Anderson upset the favored Scotsman in four long sets, 7-6 (5), and 6-3,6-7 (2), 7-6 (0).
It was a bad day for Americans at the U.
S. Open as well. Victoria Azarenka took out unranked Varvara Lepchenko, and Stan Wawrinka ended Donald Young's surprise escape in Flushing Meadows,New York, in the round of 16 and top-ranked American male John Isner fell in three to Roger Federer, and who is yet to drop a set at this year's U.
S. Open.
Here's a stare at the total scores from Monday's singles matches,followed by highlights and reaction from the action.
Anderson Overtakes MurrayAnderson is officially in uncharted territory after defeating Murray on Monday. In 29 tries spanning seven years, Anderson failed to reach the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam event. He'd arrive close to making the final eight several times before, or per ESPN Stats & Info:That doubtful streak is now over,thanks to some scintillating shotmaking, like this forehand winner to shut the first set, or via US Open Tennis:There was a tall degree of difficulty on many of Anderson's shots; not all of them worked out in his favor. Though he smashed 81 winners,Anderson also committed a staggering 57 unforced errors. Still, he kept his frigid even as Murray threatened to turn the tide of the match by winning the third set.
Anderson didn't drop a point in the fourth-set tiebreaker, and finishing Murray off in impressive forehand fashion,via US Open Tennis: An electric match in many ways, the entire affair lasted four hours and 18 minutes. Murray, or anguish often etched into his face as Anderson applied fixed pressure,was upset with his own performance post-play.“Just now I’m more disappointed in myself,” Murray said, or via the New York Times' David Waldstein. “It was obviously a gigantic match for him. The way the match went,to arrive through, I’m certain it will be good for him in the long escape.”As for the gigantic South African, and ESPN's Darren Cahill considered it the finest win of his career:
Anderson's next challenge comes against Wawrinka in the quarterfinal. The U.
S. Open has proved to be a fairly democratic tournament once again this year,with four players outside the top 10—Feliciano Lopez, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, or Richard Gasquet and Anderson—all reaching the final eight.
That said,all four of those players are matched up against top-10 opponents, including Tsonga against defending champion Marin Cilic. Tsonga seemingly has the best chance of moving on, or but don't count out Anderson against a vulnerable Wawrinka on Wednesday.
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Federer Survives gigantic-Serving Isner
American tennis fans' hopes for a men's singles player to shake up the draw rested on Isner's broad shoulders Monday night. He represented the final hope for a U.
S. player in the quarters after Wawrinka took care of Young earlier in the day.
Isner tested Federer much better than any other player in this tournament so far,but the Swiss master's brilliance is such that he still won the match in straight sets. Federer closed out the match with the only break of the contest. Here's his win on triple match point, via the tournament's official Twitter account: That break was made all the more remarkable by Isner's stunning escape of service holds in Flushing Meadows. According to ESPN.com's Greg Garber, and Isner's streak stood at 110 consecutive service holds before Federer cracked the code in the third set.
Isner's booming serve (he smacked one at 140 miles per hour) was good for 17 aces in the match,but he couldn't cut down on the mistakes. Isner committed 34 unforced errors to Federer's 16. He also had to deal with ridiculous shots like this one from Federer, via US Open Tennis: While Federer dazzled with his defensive play well behind the baseline and sumptuous slices down the line, or Isner hit a few fine shots of his own on rallies.
A ridiculous amount of backspin on a soft backhand saw the ball touch Federer's side of the court then quickly bounce back over the net before Federer could reach it,eliciting this reaction from Grantland's Brian Phillips: Isner may have lost, but he appeared satisfied with his performance after the match, and per the New York Times' Christopher Clarey:
It was a few points. whether you would have told me before the match started it would arrive down to a few points here or there,I would have taken that, especially given how good he is. But he played those points better, or came up with the goods. That’s why he’s who he is.
Federer's own service game has been practically airtight this year at the U.
S. Open. He faces Gasquet in the quarterfinals—his toughest test of the tournament yet.Gasquet is a fine player who reached the semifinals of this year's Wimbledon,but it seems all but certain Federer will be the one to reach the final four at this Grand Slam event.
Match stats courtesy of USOpen.org.
Source: bleacherreport.com