US Open Day 4 Women’s Recap: Three Big Upsets, Andreeva Plays

Fans were treated to more thrilling US Open women’s tennis on Wednesday, Day 4 of the event. The first 16 second round matches were played, and Mirra Andreeva, 2021 champion Emma Raducanu, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula were among those in action. This article details who played well, which players struggled, and chooses the best contest from Day 4.

US Open Day 4 Women’s Recap

Who Looked Good

Aryna Sabalenka was thoroughly tested by Polina Kudermetova on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The world No. 1 took the opening set on a tiebreak after recovering from 15-40 at 5-5. Although Sabalenka dominated more in the second and won it 6-2, Kudermetova still had her moments and can be proud of pushing the defending champion hard.

Jessica Pegula, who lost last year’s final to Sabalenka, easily defeated Anna Blinkova 6-1 6-3. Although her opponent could have played slightly better, the final score was caused mainly by the world No. 4 performing excellently. Pegula broke six times throughout the match, and her superiority in all departments was evident from start to finish.

Mirra Andreeva’s second-round US Open encounter also ended 6-1 6-3. Anastasia Potapova, who relies on grit and defensive skills rather than raw power, tried her best to keep up with the teenager. Despite a spirited effort, she never came close to seriously testing Andreeva, who likely welcomed the lengthy rallies with Potapova as a way to play herself into form.

Raducanu produced one of her best performances since reigning supreme at Flushing Meadows four years ago. The Briton did not lose serve once in a 6-2 6-1 thrashing of Janice Tjen. Raducanu was clinical from the start and sent a message to the rest of the draw with this display. Tjen could not be blamed much for the final score.

Last week’s runner-up in Monterrey, Ann Li, performed superbly to eliminate 16th seed and former Olympic Gold Medalist Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-3. She dominated with her forehand and was also aggressive on return. Bencic could not adapt to the home favorite’s style and finished by being broken to love.

Who Looked Bad

Teenager Iva Jovic missed an opportunity against two-time Grand Slam runner-up Jasmine Paolini. The Italian was nowhere near her best, but the young talent could not take advantage, including missing all seven break point chances in the opening set. Paolini got through the match 6-3 6-3 despite not playing well in either set.

Emma Navarro and Caty McNally’s contest was not as entertaining as it promised to be. McNally leaked numerous unforced errors in the 2-6 1-6 defeat, and made life easier than expected for her compatriot. Coco Gauff’s former doubles partner was guilty of going too big and not trusting herself to stay in the rallies.

Match of the day

2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina’s 6-4 7-6(9-7) triumph against Tereza Valentova could have been chosen as the best from Day 4. Both women produced many quality shots, especially in the second set. Rybakina did very well to hold her nerve in the tiebreak and avoid being taken to a decider.

Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend’s heated battle is chosen ahead of the others. Home favorite Townsend, backed by a passionate and partisan crowd on Court 11, played terrifically to win 7-5 6-1. The ultra-aggressive Ostapenko could not handle the American’s variety and was outhought and outplayed in both sets.

However, what happened afterward generated the most attention. Ostapenko directed angry words at Townsend at the net, which led to the match winner following the Latvian to her chair and saying she should learn to take a loss better. Ostapenko then made some comments to the booing crowd before leaving the court.

In an Instagram story shortly after the match, Ostapenko claimed that she got annoyed by Townsend not apologizing for a net cord. In a post-match interview, the American stated that Ostapenko called her uneducated during the heated exchange at the net.