Keys and Anisimova crash out, dealing blow to U.S. Open home hopes

American hopes took a sharp hit at the U.S. Open on Saturday as Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova both fell in the third round. Chinese qualifier Zheng Qinwen delivered the biggest twist, recovering from 5-0 down in the deciding set to defeat Keys 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 on Grandstand.

Zheng collapsed onto the court in joy after completing the comeback against the 2017 runner-up. The Olympic champion reached the quarter-finals in New York two years ago, but a chronic right elbow injury disrupted her progress and forced her to come through qualifying this time. “Finally one time a bit of luck is on my side,” Zheng said.

Anisimova, last year’s runner-up and the 10th seed, could not change the direction of a frustrating season at the majors. Potapova beat her 6-2, 7-5, advancing to the fourth round after saving 13 of the 16 break points she faced. It was the Austrian’s deepest run at the U.S. Open.

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Finally one time a bit of luck is on my side

Coco Gauff, the 2023 champion, was due to face Spain’s Cristina Bucsa later Saturday, after ninth-seeded American Taylor Fritz played Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. The evening schedule also brought a test of local support on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Filipina fan favorite Alexandra Eala faced American Iva Jovic in her first competitive match on the tournament’s main court.

Top seed Alexander Zverev was scheduled to meet Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo after being pushed into five sets in each of his first two matches. “I’m winning ugly right now,” the German said after his marathon second-round victory over Quentin Halys. At Louis Armstrong Stadium, 13th-seeded Naomi Osaka faced familiar opponent Elise Mertens for the 10th time, leading their head-to-head 6-3.

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I'm winning ugly right now