US Open 2024: Gauff v Navarro; Dimitrov beats Rublev in five sets in last-16 singles – live | US Open Tennis 2024

The sole break in that set was an absolute gift, a meld of doubles and errors – there were plenty of them in the other games too. Martina notes that Navarro won’t give this away so Gauff, who nips out between sets, will have to play better if she’s to win. It feels like that is the most important adjustment, banal though it sounds, rather than anything tactical or strategic.

At the end of the longest rally of the match, 27 strokes, Navarro has 15-0 – my coverage drops out, so I don’t actually know how that happened. Then, at 30-0, a forehand error from Gauff means three set points, and only one is required! Navarro leads the champ 6-3 and though she’s not hitting the bigger shots, she’s taking fewer risks and making fewer errors.

Nakashima fights off break-point to hold for 2-1 against Zverev and looks pretty comfy out there. Meantime, a Gauff error and Navarro putaway make 0-30 but, two points away from going a set down, the champ quickly levels the game. She then finds an ace to save her at 30-40, another colossal delivery for advantage … then Navarro passes her superbly down the line. No matter, Gauff secures what might prove to be a crucial holds with another booming serve, so at 5-3, Navarro will have to serve out.

Up 40-15, Navarro offers a sniff with a loopy long forehand, then should probably get to Gauff’s return but doesn’t; deuce. Navarro, though, earns advantage with her first ace, closes out from there, and at 5-2 she’s within a game of the first set. By the looks of things, getting there will be taxing.

Down 0-15, Gauff bangs a signature backhand winner down the line, but two unforceds and a double hands over two break points … ceded with another double. That’s five in the game and Coach Calv’s message that I’ve not yet published – “Gauff has both the best and worst serve in women’s tennis” – looks extremely prescient. Navarro leads 4-2 in the first while, on Armstrong, Nakashima holds for 1-0 against Zverev

Another hold apiece but more straightforward this time, Navarro up 3-2. She’s not at all overawed by the occasion but she’s having to put in a lot of work, and on so humid a day, that might tell later, especially when the pressure is heavier.

Nakashima and Zverev arrive on to Armstrong, and this should also be good.

Gauff is into this now, working Navarro about the court by way of her notoriously erratic forehand and earning break point. In comms, Martina notes that in that situation, she’d not give Gauff a single look at a backhand return, but Navarro thinks differently and is punished. No matter: she holds for 2-1 in the first and already this is intense and hard.

Strong tracky-top game from Martina today.

Navarro holds handily then forces break point at 30-40, Gauff racing in to power-flick a backhand cross on to the outside of the sideline; that was simultaneously stuffy and brilliant. Navarro though, just carries on doing what she’s doing, reading a putaway to block back a winner with her opponent stranded, but she can’t land an attempted backhand winner, so we’re back to deuce. Another break-point disappears when Navarro nets, but a third double in the game offers a further opportunity … removed via service-winner. If Gauff gets in front in the match, she’ll be hard to catch, but if Navarro can lands the early blows, she’s a really good chance. The champ, though, is nails, and she serves out to level us up at 1-1 in the first.

Otherwise, Calv says of Nakashima that “He’s a great returner. You’ve got to hit spots and fast every time to stop it coming back with interest. And he’s pretty good at everything else.”

Against Zverev, the aim will always be to attack the forehand – likewise against Gauff, who’s just started on Ashe against her good mate Navarro.

Coach Calv is back! “Nakashima is in great form,” he says. “He could definitely win. But Zverev has become really good at not losing to people he shouldn’t lose to.”

I agree – I think I wrote last week he’s now where Murray was in 2011: able to beat excellent players who play their best against him almost all of the time, just not able to find that last bit against the best on the biggest stages.

Next on Ashe: Emma Navarro (13) v Coco Gauff (3).

Next on Armstrong: Brandon Nakashima v Alexander Zverev (4).

On we go!

Fritz says he was outplayed in the first set but fought at the beginning of the second set to fight through some difficult holds then exert scoreboard pressure at the end. At that stage, he felt like he was getting more looks at Ruud’s second serve and did a good job to force the break.

As the roof opens, he says he’s taking it one match at a time though he knows some good players have gone out. In 2022, he came in saying he could win it and went out in the first round, so he’s keeping it quiet and will he what happens next.

Taylor Fritz (12) beats Casper Ruud (8) 3-6 6-6 6-3 6-2

Grigor Dimitrov (9) beats Andrey Rublev (6) 6-3 7-6(3) 1-6 3-6 6-3

Brilliant from Dimitrov, a 129mph body-serve making 40-0, three first deliveries landed. He might’ve shrunk after being hauled back to 2-2 from 2-0, but he’s kept doing what he’s doing, serving well, hitting his backhand beautifully, and keeping cool when the pressure was at its most terrifying.

Rublev holds to 15, a vicious ace whipped down the T sealing the deal; Dimitrov will now serve for the match at 5-3 in the fifth, while following change of ends, Fritz will do likewise at 5-2 in the fourth.

Fritz is close too, now up 4-1 30-0 in the fourth, but back to Ashe, Serena and Alicia Keys are bopping together at change of ends; lovely stuff.

Rublev holds for 2-4, then annihilates a forehand winner for 0-15. And though he quickly nets a backhand, a Dimitrov error is followed by a double; 15-40 and two break-back points. P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E! Which is handled well, a big serve returned long, then a second serve hit hard into the body makes deuce. Hold tight Griggzy, it takes bottle to be that aggressive in that situation, and next point, a stretch-volley forces Rublev to play another shot and he flicks his forehand putaway long! What an oversight that is, and an ace secures the hold that might just settle a fine, exciting match. Dimitrov leads 5-2 in the fifth and is one game away from the quarters.

Well Taylor Fritz has, playing a ridiculous point to make 0-40; Ruud does really well to claw his way to deuce, but down advantage, a double hands over the double-break ant at 3-0 in the fourth, this feels over. and Rublev-Dimitrov isn’t far off, the Bulgarian consolidating comfortably for 4-1 in the fifth.

Fritz breaks Ruud at the first time of asking in set four and it’s now an even bigger ask for the number eight seed to get back into this; he must now break one of the most impregnable serves in the game just to stay in the match. The consolidation, though, is sealed with a kiss an ace, while, on Ashe, Dimitrov caresses a wondrous backhand down the line to raise break point and Rublev drops long to secure it! The Bulgarian leads 3-1 in the fifth and having surrendered a two-set lead, has he hit a seam just when he needs to?

Dimitrov’s backhand is a joke, drive, slice and lob all involved in the point that gives him 30-0. A service-winner follows, and a love-hold is quickly secured for 2-1.

Ruud was two sets down to Jerry Shang in the last round, but Fritz, with his serve and in nick, is a different proposition; I’d be pretty surprised were he able to win two sets in a row. Meantime a hold apiece means we’re level at 1-1 in the fifth on Ashe, both men hitting the cover off it; it’s great, tense stuff.

Back on Ashe, Dimitrov is forced through deuce for his hold in game one of the fifth, but secures it with an ace. He needed that.

On set point at 40-15, Fritz nets a backhand; can you guess what happens next? Yup, an ace down the T secures rhe set ad he leads Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Serving at 1-1 2-5, Ruud holds, so Fritz must now serve for the third set. He immediately dispenses a booming forehand for 15-0.

Rublev is by far the better player now, quickly making 30-0, but we know things can change – especially with him involved in them. On 40-15, Dimitrov thinks he’s served an ace but the umpire calls let … for all the difference it makes. Another big serve is good enough and at 3-6 6-7 6-1 6-3 we’re going to watch a decider; get in!

Dimitrov holds easily enough, so Rublev will now serve for set four. Will the pressure get big on him?

Some players improve when vexed – JP McEnroe used anger to get him going, wittingly or otherwise, but Rublev seems to me to play better when calmer, and he very quickly consolidates for 5-4. He’s one game away from forcing a decider, which would be an absolute treat.

Excellent from Rublev, a barrage of backhands making it 3-2 0-30 in the fourth. But a gorgeous backhand slice down the line, and ball arcing away, levels the game … then another into the net and Rublev has break point! And look at that! a monstrous forehand on to the baseline is too good and, having beaten Arthur Rinderknech from two sets down, he’s now in position to do likewise to Griggzy. Back on Armstrong, meanwhile, Fritz leads 1-1 4-1.

Thanks John and hi again. I’m not shocked Fritz is in control against Ruud – his serve and forehand are demanding to face, and well though the Norwegian played in set one, he’s not so good he can maintain that for a full match. It’s now 3-0 Fritz in set two.

Dimitrov starts serving again, and we are at 2-2 in the fourth.

And with that, two matches in the balance, I shall hand you back to Daniel Harris.

Taylor Fritz is in control of his match with Casper Ruud; he’s 2-0 up in the third set.

Hello, here comes Dimitrov again, with Rublev’s missed forehand sailing out. Three break points but the first two are wasted. Fine serve saves the third. Rublev’s not done either. An incredible rally, including Dimitrov’s tennis rabona through the legs, but Rublev sees it out. It’s 2-1 in the fourth set.

Dimitrov and Rublev start with two holds of serve, with Dimitrov looking mightu relieved to hold his. He’s looking more like his opening set self already.

Rublev takes the next two games with ease, Dimitrov happy to hand them over and write the third set off as a bad job, a 6-1 loss. So, off we go into the fourth. Rublev fancies another comeback from two sets down.

Dimitrov doubles when trying to hold serve – his ninth. Then comes a tenth. Oh dear, break point. But followed by a skidding ace. Then a huge, unreturnable clanker. He then hits the net cord three times, and must face another break point. When he saves that, Rublev glowers at his coaches. But then comes another double fault and Rublev leads 4-1 in the third

Meanwhile, Fritz has set point on Ruud, and takes it on his opponent’s serve, levelling at 1-1 with a 6-4 second-set win.

Rublev is in the zone, and races to 40-0 up. The noise and hubbub of the Meadows seem to get to him but he’s 2-0 up. Dimitrov’s serve is wobbling – eight double faults so far – but then thwacks a backhand to save three break points. He then serves out to be 1-2 in the third set.

Ruud and Fritz are at similar loggerheads. Ruud relieved to level at 4-4 in the second set.

Casper Ruud v Taylor Fritz is at 3-3 in the second set, with Ruud looking in good nick, Fritz rather holding on but to be fair, he’s 4-3 up now. Rublev seems to be going through some element of personal hell, though Dimitrov shanks a baseline hit to deny himself the first game, and be pulled back to deuce. And Rublev pulls off a backhand volley at the net; wonders never cease. And Rublev breaks Dimitrov – is the comeback actually on?

John Brewin

And he wears it well, sealing his hold with an ace; he leads 6-5 in the second while Ruud, playing better than I’ve seen him for a while, leads Fritz 6-3 1-2 on serve.

But I’m off for a break, so here’s John Brewin to hang with you for the next hour.

Dimitrov’s backhand has been the decisive shot in this match so far. I know why Rublev planned to target it – it’s so rare to see a reliable one-hander – but it’s not working. He does, though, curve a fine forehand winner down the line for 15-30; a service winner restores parity and consecutive aces put an exclamation mark on the hold. Pressure switches to Rublev at 5-5 in the second…

Ruud holds comfortable and leads Fritz 6-3. Meanwhile, Dimitrov sets about Rublev’s serve at 30-0, forehand whacking levelling the game – he’s got such a lovely, flowing stroke – but when an error gives him break point, Rublev saves it with a forehand of his own. No matter: he’s soon up advantage, and when a huge forehand misses the sideline – by a fraction – we’re somehow back on serve in set two. Rublev, though, handles the disappointment, and Dimitrov must still hold to stay in the set at 6-3 4-5.

He’s got it! Rublev makes yet another break point and this time, Dimitrov’s backhand lets him down, wafted long; at 5-3 in the second, the Russian will now serve for one set apiece.

Serena is in the house again and she’s seeing a decent tussle, Rublev in the ascendancy but unable to break. To leave Ashe for a moment though, Ruud has just broken Fritz for 5-3 in the first and will now serve for the first set.

Or not! Rublev rushes through a love-hold, a tasty half-volley on the forehand clinching the game. I can barely stand the tension of the breaker in prospect; Dimitrov leads 6-3 3-4.

Rublev might just hitting a seam, taking 0-30, but a wild forehand, then Dimitrov alters momentum in the next rally with a big backhand before finishing the point with a jazzer down the line. But at 40-30, Rublev hits a fine return and pick-up, staying at the net to finish the point. Again, though, Dimitrov does the necessary to secure his hold and knowing Rublev as we do, it’s hard not to wonder if his aggravation at failing to break will lead to him being broken himself. Meantime, Ruud fights through deuce for his hold for 4-3.

Gosh, at 30-all, Rublev conjures a wondrous forehand, cross-court, on the run, and on to the tootsies; from there, he closes out, gesticulating at his box for something or other. Dimitrov leads 6-3 2-3 while, on Armstrong, Fritz has just held for 3-3.

A fantastic get from Rublev, the ball again directed at the Dimitrov backhand, allows him to clean up and make 0-15; an ace restores parity. But at 15-40, Rublev has a sniff … quickly extinguished, then can’t make advantage with a swing-volley, instead letting Dimitrov play another and botching an overhead. He loves that as much as you might imagine and when a forehand loops long, we remain on serve on set two; in a sense, this match is similar to Badosa-Wang, close but one player’s ability to handle big points the difference.

Ruud opens with a comfy hold while on Ashe it’s a hold apiece, meaning Dimitrov leads 6-3 1-2; I’m wondering if Rublev has found some equilibrium because he looks calmer and is playing a bit better.

Dimitrov races to 0-40 on the Rublev serve but despite it all yerman doesn’t lack for character or desire and he quickly makes deuce. He’s hitting to the Dimitrov backhand a lot but the ball keeps coming back – a change in tactic might be necessary – but Rublev secures a crucial hold to trail 3-6 1-0.

On Armstrong, Ruud and Fritz are out and will soon get us going. “Both playing OK but neither in great form,” returns Coach Calv. “I don’t massively rate either at that level.”

Yup, I agree – I’d be staggered if either wins a Slam, though I have enjoyed Fritz recently.

Down 30-0, Rublev goes long with a forehand return and yelps his disgust, but Dimitrov burns the first set point with a long backhand. Ahahahaha! No matter, Dimitrov annihilates an ace down the T, and he leads 6-3. As for Rublev, I wonder if he’s getting any help managing his emotions; you get the sense he’d be a better, happier player with a bit of that.

Serving to stay in the set, Rublev nets a backhand which means, at 30-all, Dimitrov is two points away from the set. But a good return elicits a forehand error and deuce, only for a miraculous backhand, on the slide and sent zoning low across the face of the net, to raise game point; Dimitrov applauds and Rublev apologises. From there, though, the number six seed secures the hold, forcing his opponent to serve for the first set at 5-3.