Key events<\/p>\n
Rybakina wins the second set 6-1<\/p>\n
So Rybakina is serving for the set \u2026 she\u2019s under pressure at 30-all \u2026 but is still able to swing freely as she crushes a cross-court forehand winner \u2026 and the set is secured with a serve out wide! Rybakina has responded to going a set down, and this match, as all four of yesterday\u2019s quarter-finals did, is going. The. Distance. And Niall is here to guide you through the decider \u2026<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rybakina breaks: Zheng 6-3, 1-5 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n So Rybakina holds on to her break \u2013 and is pushing and probing for a double break at 15-30 on Zheng\u2019s serve. The pair trade a few moon balls before Rybakina injects more power and elicits the error. 15-40. Zheng finds a big first serve when it matters to fend off the first break point \u2013 before Rybakina strikes on the second, dealing with a net cord well to drill an unreturned forehand deep to Zheng\u2019s left!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Zheng* 6-3, 1-4 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Perhaps I am jumping the gun, because Zheng has a break-back point at 30-40 after Rybakina misses five first serves in a row \u2026 but Zheng doesn\u2019t take it. Rybakina is back in a serving groove as she takes a short, sharp point at deuce and then crunches down a serve that Zheng can only frame towards the stands.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Zheng 6-3, 1-3 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Alas, we won\u2019t see another comeback from 5-0 down, because Zheng holds to love. Not getting too ahead of ourselves, but these two have already played two three-setters against each other this year, with Rybakina triumphing in both, on the clay in Madrid and the hard courts in Doha. But those were when Zheng was earlier in her return from elbow surgery. The former world No 4 has far more momentum on her side this time \u2026 but how much energy does she have left having played seven matches already as a qualifier?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Zheng* 6-3, 0-3 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n After their almost flawness numbers for the first half of the opening set, both players\u2019 first-serve percentages has dropped below 50%. But Rybakina still finds a way to 40-15 in this game, before coughing up a third double fault and then balancing that out with an ace. Rybakina consolidates the break to lead 3-0 \u2026 but Zheng is probably enjoying this, hoping it\u2019ll become 5-0 so she can do what she does best.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rybakina breaks: Zheng 6-3, 0-2 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n I wonder if the fact that the world No 1 ranking is on the line today added to Rybakina\u2019s agitation in that first set. As I said, it\u2019s so unusual for her to show so much frustration on court. Zheng looks comfortable in this game at 40-15, but Rybakina comes back at her for deuce. Zheng is yet to be broken, but she\u2019s having to work harder and harder for the holds, and it seems only a matter of time before Rybakina does secure a breakthrough. And it comes with a flat forehand bullet down the line \u2026 followed by another forehand winner, as Rybakina rips away the short ball! Game on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Zheng* 6-3, 0-1 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Zheng is in slightly unfamiliar territory here, having been the frontrunner throughout so far, rather than having to pull off any escape acts from 5-0 down<\/a>. But Rybakina is serving first in the second set, and she doesn\u2019t mess around, whizzing through to love and pinging away two aces in the process.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zheng grabs an energy drink, munches on a banana, before taking her leave and walking off court. Rybakina, meanwhile, having lost her first set this tournament, is having a heated discussion with her coach. She doesn\u2019t seem to agree with what he\u2019s telling her to do. But she wasn\u2019t far off in that set; she had five break points in that final game after all.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Zheng wins the first set 6-3!<\/p>\n \u2026 Rybakina, whose face hardly ever betrays any emotion on court, is now chuntering to herself and her coaching team \u2026 but it rouses her into action, as she saves another set point with a clean winner! But soon enough Zheng has set point No 4 \u2026 and the game is secured after 14 minutes (!!) \u2013 and with it the set \u2013 as Rybakina can\u2019t get Zheng\u2019s stinging serve down the T back into play! That game definitely matched yesterday\u2019s drama.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.35 EDT<\/p>\n The break means Zheng is serving for the first set \u2026 but her first serve deserts her. At 0-30 down she slides a timely second-serve ace out wide, but Rybakina pulls off the pass for two break-back points at 15-40. The first is fought off with an ace \u2026 and the second with a backhand bullet down the line! That was clutch hitting from Zheng. Deuce. Advantage Zheng, a first set point. Deuce, advantage Rybakina, a third BP. Deuce, advantage Rybakina, a fourth BP. My computer clearly can\u2019t handle the pressure because it briefly freezes. When it starts behaving again, it\u2019s BP No 5 \u2026 which Rybakina doesn\u2019t take either \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.29 EDT<\/p>\n Zheng breaks: Zheng* 5-3 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Rybakina has won every point so far when she\u2019s landed her first serve (Zheng has won all but one), and that record continues on the opening point, before Rybakina\u2019s rhythm stutters, party because of a missed drive volley, and soon it\u2019s 30-all. Zheng then zooms forward to the short ball, having worked so hard to wrest control in the point after a serve that put her on the back foot, and it\u2019s the first break point of this quarter-final at 30-40! Zheng inexplicably misses a backhand return off a second serve \u2026 but quickly puts aside that setback to create another break point \u2026 and this one she takes when Rybakina snatches at a forehand! Rybakina, so peerless on serve during this tournament, has been broken!<\/p>\n By breaking Elena Rybakina, Qinwen Zheng has the advantage in a level first set. Photograph: Robert Deutsch\/ImagnImages\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.27 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Zheng 4-3 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. A second successive hold to love for Zheng, as the servers\u2019 supremacy continues. Over on Court 12, Britain\u2019s Andy Lapthorne has lost 6-2, 6-1 in the quad wheelchair singles after a tough first-round draw against the top seed and winner of all three grand slams so far this year, Niels Vink.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Zheng* 3-3 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n The early proof in this match \u2013 if we needed it after Zheng\u2019s wins over Keys and Swiatek in the previous two rounds \u2013 is that the 23-year-old is most definitely back in the mix, after her elbow surgery last year. So that\u2019s great news for the women\u2019s game – which is already so stacked at the top. And with Sabalenka, Rybakina, Pegula, Gauff and Andreeva remaining in the running for the title in New York, the world\u2019s top five are still standing, in contrast to the men, with only Zverev and Shelton left from the top 10. Rybakina holds to 15 to level once more.<\/p>\n Elena Rybakina batters a backhand to Qinwen Zheng. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.32 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Zheng 3-2 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Zheng, now in the sun, puts Rybakina firmly in the shade as she zooms to 40-0. Make that game. Five games and no break points so far. Both are locked in on serve and, the way this opening set is going, it could well come down to just the one break \u2013 or a tie-break. Though they\u2019ll be going some to match the drama of all of yesterday\u2019s breakers.<\/p>\n A focused Qinwen Zheng returns the ball to Elena Rybakina. Photograph: Seth Wenig\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.30 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Zheng* 2-2 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Rybakina won 90% of her first-serve points in her 6-1, 6-4 demolition of Osaka and she\u2019s yet to drop a point on serve in this quarter-final, gliding to 30-0. A netted forehand in response to Zheng\u2019s return, however, ends the Russian-born Kazakhstani\u2019s perfect record \u2026 and perhaps that\u2019s on her mind on the next point, because she throws in her first double fault. Zheng can\u2019t capitalise on the 30-all opportunity, conceding the rally cheaply with an errant backhand, and another errant strike beyond the baseline allows Rybakina to hold.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Zheng 2-1 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Rybakina possesses the superior serve \u2013 it\u2019s arguably the best in the business \u2013 but Zheng can match Rybakina\u2019s easy power from the back of the court, which she does to get to 40-15. With Zheng\u2019s half of the court entirely in the shade and Rybakina\u2019s in the sun, it\u2019s hard to follow the course of the ball on television, but no such problems for Zheng on court, as she asserts her authority from deuce for another hold.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Zheng* 1-1 Rybakina (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n Zheng shaded the support in the opening game; the Chinese player is so popular wherever she goes. So the crowd is a little quieter as Rybakina races through her first service game to love. Both these players are used to the big stage and they\u2019ve settled in quickly here.<\/p>\n Elena Rybakina serves to Qinwen Zheng. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.56 EDT<\/p>\n First set: Zheng 1-0 Rybakina* (*denotes next server)<\/p>\n There are no signs of any early stage fright from Zheng \u2013 who\u2019s appearing in her third consecutive US Open quarter-final (surprisingly it\u2019s a first for Rybakina) \u2013 as she zips to 30-0 on serve. She\u2019s then smart to Rybakina\u2019s short, angled backhand on the third point \u2026 as she sprints forward and dispatches a backhand winner down the line. And she claims an assured opening hold to love when Rybakina rams a forehand just long.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rybakina made quite a statement in the last 16 too, when she was virtually flawless against Naomi Osaka, and she has the double motivation today of wanting to reach the US Open semi-finals for the first time and secure the world No 1 ranking. Beat Zheng and Rybakina is guaranteed to knock Aryna Sabalenka off the summit and claim the top spot for the first time in her career.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Rybakina has won four of her five meetings with Zheng, including two three-set victories this year. But Zheng was earlier in her comeback from elbow surgery then, the 2024 Olympic champion is a totally different proposition now, carrying the momentum of seven successive match wins in New York having come through qualifying – and the belief she can turn around any deficit after coming from 5-0 down in sets against both Madison Keys in the third round and Iga Swiatek in the last 16.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here come Zheng and Rybakina, Zheng stepping on to court wearing headphones, not that there\u2019s much noise to drown out yet at 11.35am New York time. Both already look extremely focused with their game faces on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Already today: Britain\u2019s Gregory Slade and Andy Lapthorne are under way in the wheelchair quad singles first round, with Slade an early break down, 2-0, against Argentina\u2019s Gonzalo Lazarte and Lapthorne on serve at 2-2 against the top seed Niels Vink. Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid play later, as do several Brits in the men\u2019s doubles: Henry Patten with Finland\u2019s Harri Heliovaara (the Wimbledon champs), Joe Salisbury with the American Rajeev Ram, and Neal Skupski with another American, Christian Harrison. And Skupski (last year\u2019s runner-up) and Harrison get to close the schedule on Arthur Ashe tonight.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Plus yesterday\u2019s other reports:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n And Andrew Lawrence\u2019s view from Flushing Meadows too:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s Tumaini\u2019s take on the match, which he probably wrote with matchsticks propping up his eyelids:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As for Shelton, the greatest win of his career leaves him with a semi-final against his friend\/Big Foe. If he can recharge for Friday – and it\u2019s a big if – he has the weapons to outgun Tiafoe, with an American finalist guaranteed. Come Sunday, perhaps we\u2019ll even stop talking about Andy Roddick in 2003 and that Great American Drought for the men.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n So where does Alcaraz\u2019s dethroning leave him? Given it was his first tournament in four and a half months, and he was able to play without any pain in his right wrist, he\u2019s still viewing it as a successful fortnight that he can build on. \u201cAs I said before the tournament, my expectation was to go there, compete, play in these kind of matches for me being healthy,\u201d he said after his defeat. \u201cIt was close. So I\u2019m not going to be disappointed about don\u2019t getting the win at the end. I\u2019m just happy, proud about myself, about how I fought. I leave the court with a smile, healthy, and this is what I needed.\u201d And that\u2019s good news for tennis – because it just hasn\u2019t been the same without him this summer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Today\u2019s order of play – Arthur Ashe<\/p>\n 11.30am New York\/4.30pm BST<\/p>\n Women\u2019s singles quarter-final Women\u2019s singles quarter-final Men\u2019s singles quarter-final 7.30pm New York\/12.30am BST<\/p>\n Men\u2019s singles quarter-final Men\u2019s doubles quarter-final Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to our coverage of the US Open day 11 – which begins less than eight hours after Ben Shelton struck his final ace to take out Carlos Alcaraz on day 10. Are you ready for some more tennis? Of course you are!<\/p>\n This may be the city that never sleeps but the 3.33am finish – the latest in the tournament\u2019s history and the fourth time this fortnight that play stretched beyond 2am – once again raises questions about the demands tennis places on its athletes. But organisers could not have foreseen the day\u2019s extraordinary drama, with all four quarter-finals on Arthur Ashe going the distance, lasting a combined total of nearly 14 hours, and three being decided in a final-set tie-break. From Aryna Sabalenka\u2019s high-quality win over the Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, to the two American derbies as Frances Tiafoe came back from two sets down against Alex Michelsen and Jessica Pegula pulled off a recovery of her own against Emma Navarro, to that climax as Alcaraz\u2019s title defence came to an end, the spectacle never let up. I can\u2019t remember another day of tennis quite like it.<\/p>\n And now here we go again, with another compelling cast list and plenty of sub plots. Elena Rybakina faces Zheng Qinwen knowing she must never, ever take a 5-0 lead over the Olympic champion<\/a> if she wants to secure the quarter-final win that will wrest the world No 1 ranking from Sabalenka; Coco Gauff takes on Mirra Andreeva in the battle of the former prodigies turned grand slam champions (if you can call Andreeva a former prodigy at the age of 19); Alexander Blockx, the new kid on the, erm, block, plays the resurgent Russian Karen Khachanov \u2013 though there are concerns about Blockx\u2019s fitness after a painful rib injury in the last 16; and Alexander Zverev will be working the night session once more, with Botic van de Zandschulp, but the French Open champ does have the comfort of knowing that for the second time in three slams he won\u2019t have to come up against an Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner-shaped wall if he\u2019s to win the title.<\/p>\n Play gets under way: at 11.30am New York time\/4.30pm BST. So you\u2019ve just about got time to prepare 23 coffees and then let\u2019s do this!<\/p>\n
Zheng Qinwen (Chn) v Elena Rybakina (Kaz, 2)<\/p>\n
Mirra Andreeva (5) v Coco Gauff<\/a> (US, 4)<\/p>\n
Karen Khachanov v Alexander Blockx (Bel, 28)<\/p>\n
Alexander Zverev (Ger, 1) v Botic van de Zandschulp (Ned)<\/p>\n
Simone Bolelli (It, 4) and Andrea Vavassori (It, 4) v Christian Harrison (US, 5) and Neal Skupski (GB, 5)<\/p>\n