US Open Day 6 Women’s Recap: Andreeva one of Several Players Upset

Pegula, like Sabalenka, has still yet to drop a set after beating Victoria Azarenka 6-1 7-5. Although three-time US Open finalist Azarenka could not afford to be underestimated, she is past her prime. The pair have similar styles, but Pegula executes it better than the Belarusian. That allowed last year’s runner-up to triumph comfortably.

No. 7 Jasmine Paolini was eliminated by 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. The Italian did not break throughout the 6-7 1-6 defeat due to a superb serving performance from the Czech. Vondrousova also expertly changed the pace during the rallies, preventing Paolini from finding any rhythm or feeding off the significant support she had on Grandstand.

Ann Li, who reached the final in Cleveland last week, continued her superb form by reaching the US Open fourth round. The home favorite overcame Priscilla Hon 7-5 6-3. Li saved 11 of 14 break points she faced, which proved crucial. Hon can still be proud of her unexpected run to the third round, a result that will significantly improve her ranking.

Who Looked Bad

Mirra Andreeva crashed out of the season’s final Grand Slam to Taylor Townsend. The teenager failed to handle her opponent’s variety and net approaches in a 5-7 1-6 defeat. Townsend, who was controversially called uneducated by Jelena Ostapenko after the previous round, received tremendous support on Arthur Ashe Stadium and seemed inspired by that.

Emma Raducanu underperformed against Elena Rybakina. The 2021 US Open winner had confidence after pushing Aryna Sabalenka to a deciding set tiebreak at the Cincinnati Open and easily winning her opening two matches in New York. Unfortunately for her, she was thrashed 1-6 2-6. The Briton failed to create a single break point, and Rybakina targeted her second serve throughout the match.

Match of the day

2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Navarro’s enthralling contest was the best from Day 6. Last year’s US Open semifinalist stormed out of the blocks to take a 5-1 lead in the opening set. Krejcikova retrieved both breaks, narrowing the score to 4-5 before Navarro broke again to secure the first set 6-4. The second followed the same pattern, but in Krejcikova’s favor. She bamboozled her younger opponent by using more slices than in the opening set. Navarro adjusted after going 1-5 down and won three consecutive games, but Krejcikova held on to close it out.

Krejcikova was staring down the barrel after falling 0-3 down in the deciding set. However, she is not a 12-time Grand Slam champion (two in singles, seven in women’s doubles, three in mixed doubles) for no reason. Rather than panic, Krejcikova played patiently and waited for her moments to attack. It would be unfair to say the composed Navarro blinked, but she could not sustain her level. Krejcikova reeled off six of the last seven games to triumph 4-6 6-4 6-4.