US Open: Zheng in 5-0 comeback; Gauff, Rybakina, Zverev also in quarters
Multiple seeded players advanced at the US Open as Zheng Qinwen completed another dramatic comeback to defeat Iga Swiatek, while Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Alexander Zverev secured their spots in the quarterfinals. The tournament saw several competitive matches, including five-set marathons in the men's draw.
Why It Matters
These results shape the tournament's trajectory with top seeds progressing and notable storylines emerging, including Zheng's continued resurgence from injury as a qualifier and Rybakina's positioning to potentially reach world number one ranking.
Key Facts
- Zheng's comeback: Recovered from 0-5 deficit in final set against Swiatek after trailing 5-0 early in the match
- Rybakina's ranking opportunity: Second seed is one win away from becoming world number one for the first time
- Gauff's American contingent: Six American players have reached the quarterfinals including Pegula, Navarro, Tiafoe, Michelsen, and Shelton
- Zverev's achievement: Seeking second Grand Slam title after winning French Open in June; defeated Darderi 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3)
- Zheng's qualifier status: First qualifier since Emma Raducanu in 2021 to reach women's quarterfinals while recovering from chronic elbow injury
The US Open quarterfinals are taking shape with several seeded players advancing through difficult fourth-round matchups. Zheng Qinwen authored yet another improbable comeback, trailing Swiatek 5-0 early before mounting a full recovery to upset the six-time Grand Slam champion. This marks Zheng's second extraordinary comeback at the tournament, having previously recovered from 0-5 down against Madison Keys in the third round, cementing her status as one of the tournament's most resilient competitors despite battling a chronic elbow injury.
In the women's draw, American fourth seed Gauff dominated fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal clash with French Open champion Mirra Andreeva. Gauff highlighted that facing Andreeva will present significant challenges given the Bulgarian's recent Grand Slam success and athletic prowess. The American contingent has made a strong showing, with six players now in the quarterfinals—the most impressive collection for the United States in recent memory.
Second seed Elena Rybakina continued her steady progress through the draw with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over former champion Naomi Osaka, who struggled with a recurring Achilles tendon injury. Rybakina's win inches her closer to a historic milestone, as she now sits one victory away from claiming the world number one ranking for the first time in her career. Despite arriving in New York with fitness concerns following her withdrawal from Cincinnati, she has demonstrated impressive recovery and form.
In the men's draw, top seed Alexander Zverev advanced comfortably past Italian Luciano Darderi with a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(3) victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Zverev, chasing a second Grand Slam title following his French Open triumph, expressed satisfaction with his improving performance after navigating several five-set encounters earlier in the tournament. The German also secured revenge against Darderi, whom he had lost to at the Italian Open in Rome.
The men's quarterfinals produced additional drama, as Karen Khachanov mounted a fifth-set comeback against 20-year-old American Learner Tien, while Botic van de Zandschulp outlasted Arthur Gea in a five-hour marathon. Gea came agonizingly close to becoming the first lucky loser to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal before succumbing in the final set. Belgium's Alexander Blockx also secured his first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance by dispatching Argentine 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo in four sets.
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