US Open 2013 Day 4: Onwards for Evans but Errani knocked out
Wimbledon.com's highlights from the fourth day of play at the 2013 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York...
Who is Dan Evans?
Dan Evans had never won a Grand Slam match before this tournament, and yet, a week and a half since he got here, he has now won two, five if you count his three qualifying wins as well. Beating the slumping Kei Nishikori was one thing, but following up against the mercurial Bernard Tomic, especially having dropped the first set extremely quickly, was possibly a step too far. But not for Evans. Described by Roger Federer as having 'beautiful shots,' Evans chipped and charged his way back into contention, and, quite frankly, broke Tomic's spirit. Next up, Tommy Robredo.
The upset
Flavia Pennetta d. Sara Errani [4] 6-3, 6-1
Sara Errani became the first top five seed to exit this year's US Open has she was obliterated by her compatriot and friend in an hour and 10 minutes. Pennetta, three times a quarter-finalist at Flushing Meadows, reeled off 33 winners and made 13 out of 21 net points to completely bamboozle her opponent.
Another upset came from Kurumi Nara, the Japanese qualifier, who ousted 19th seed Sorana Cirstea 7-5, 6-1.
Late-night heroics
John Isner and Gael Monfils kept the Armstrong crowd on their feet and entertained with a Davis Cup-style four-setter. Isner had steamed through the first two sets before Monfils, flinging him around the court in his usual fashion, snatched the third and threatened to take the fourth too. But Isner, to chants of USA, USA, prevailed. Next for Isner is a re-match against Philipp Kohlschreiber, who beat the big American at the same stage last year.
Cruising through
Sabine Lisicki, Jelena Jankovic, Kaia Kanepi, Ekaterina Makarova, Yaroslava Shvedova, Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Alize Cornet, Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic, Jelena Jankovic, Karin Knapp, Dmitry Tursunov (thanks to a retirement), Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Roger Federer, the Bryan brothers, Victoria Azarenka, Mikhail Kukushkin, Maria Kirilenko, Daniela Hantuchova, Serena Williams, Milos Raonic, Tommy Robredo, Julia Glushko, Ivan Dodig, Camila Giorgi, Rafael Nadal.
Big win
Christina McHale. The American made up for the horrors she's had on a hard court this summer with a gritty three-set win over Elina Svitolina to reach the third round, Grandstand court rising to its feet to salute her mettle.
Hope hopes
Although Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sasha Vickery departed, it was a good day for some Americans, with Alison Riske knocking out 28th seed Mona Barthel, and Jack Sock battling past Maximo Gonzalez. But the big shock came as Sam Querrey, the 26th seed, was dumped out by Adrian Mannarino in four sets. Thankfully, John Isner finished the night in the right fashion, knocking down Gael Monfils in straight sets.
Watch out for
Genie Bouchard. The former Wimbledon junior champion gave Angelique Kerber, the 8th seed, a real run around on Armstrong, the German, semi-finalist here two years ago, finally winning 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
Comeback Queens
Serena and Venus Williams have some determination between them. Having dropped the first set in a tie-break to Spaniards Silver Soler Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro in a tie-break, they romped through the next two, 6-0, 6-3. Don't mess.
Strange scheduling moment
After 11 men's and 0 women's matches at one point yesterday, at the beginning of the day on Thursday there were 0 men's and 11 women's
Stat of the day
The 10 seeded players losing in the first round of the 2013 US Open men's singles is the highest such total in a Grand Slam since the 2004 Australian Open (13).
Tweet of the day
Great nipples from @Evo151216 never once seen that on a tennis court... Got the physio on due to nipple rash...
@andy_murray's reaction to Dan Evans taping up some sore patches
Quote of the day
SERENA WILLIAMS: Oh, there are so many things you would say I mean, anyone could say to their younger self. The fact remains you can't do it, so I never really get involved in trying to give advice to someone that I can't.
Serena's logic is infallible
Did-you-see of the day
Serena Williams resorted to a left-handed forehand slice shot to get to one of Galina Voskoboeva's backhands. Other people might just have left it.
Feel-good of the day
Non-US Open related, but a WWII veteran has presented Andy Murray's grandparents with a painting of the British champion winning Wimbledon.
Come back tomorrow for...
ARTHUR ASHE
11am - Laura Robson [30] v Li Na [5]
FB - Novak Djokovic [1] v Benjamin Becker
FB - Jamie Hampton [23] v Sloane Stephens [15]
7pm - Lleyton Hewitt v Juan Martin Del Potro [6]
FB - Serena Williams [1] v Yaroslava Shvedova
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
11am - Agnieszka Radwanska [3] v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [32]
FB - Denis Kudla v Tomas Berdych [5]
FB - Andy Murray [3] v Leonardo Mayer
GRANDSTAND
11am - Tommy Haas [12] v Yen-Hsun Lu
FB - Ekaterina Makarova [24] v Sabine Lisicki [16]
FB - Donald Young v Florian Mayer
FB - Zheng Jie v Carla Suarez Navarro [18]
ELSEWHERE
Third on Court 17 - Roberta Vinci & Sara Errani [1] v Daniela Hantuchova & Martina Hingis
Third on Court 11 - Kaia Kanepi [25] v Angelique Kerber [8]
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For all the reports and results from Flushing Meadows, visit the Official US Open website
