US Open Day 6: Rafael Nadal mauls Gasquet once more; Swiatek, Alcaraz stay undisturbed; Kvitova, Muguruza placed on a present

Few tennis rivalries, if any in any respect, are as one-sided as that between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet. The duo got here up on the juniors collectively and have struck up a superb friendship off court docket, however on court docket, having gained every of their 17 earlier conferences, Nadal’s dominance has overshadowed the Frenchman massively.

On Saturday night time on the US Open, it was no completely different, as Nadal defeated Gasquet 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 in routine style. There had been considerations in regards to the Spaniard’s stage, particularly after the primary two units towards Fognini within the second spherical, however his dominant show suggests he’s on his manner again to being at his greatest.

One-way visitors for Rafa 🚉 pic.twitter.com/JO2fZM27nd

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2022

Gasquet was blown away within the first two units in simply over an hour, and his third-set resurgence was admirable, however the match was at all times on Nadal’s racquet. Up subsequent is his sternest check to date: dwelling favorite and in-form Frances Tiafoe. He might push Nadal to the restrict.

Swiatek, Alcaraz cruise into the second week

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek possibly a robust title favorite, however she isn’t enjoying with the burden of that strain on her shoulders.

Into Round 4️⃣

Iga Swiatek rattles off the ultimate 5 video games of the match in Armstrong. pic.twitter.com/XKoKWtykgs

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2022

The Pole raced previous America’s Lauren Davis 6-3, 6-4 in probably the most routine style doable. There was a hiccup within the center – she discovered herself 1-4 down within the second set – however she then went on to drop solely 4 factors to win 5 consecutive video games and wrap up the outcome.

Elsewhere, third seed Carlos Alcaraz bought previous the tough task of Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. The Spaniard has wanted to provide his greatest, in moments, to recover from the road in his earlier matches, however this was a persistently greater stage to knock out the American.

Alcaraz is defending his quarterfinal end from final 12 months in New York, and can undoubtedly look to go a number of steps greater. He’s been handed a comparatively powerful draw, the troublesome finish of which begins together with his fourth spherical towards Marin Cilic.

Kvitova downs Muguruza in one of many matches of the match

Former a number of Grand Slam champions Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova met in a blockbuster conflict on Lauis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday. The solely disgrace was that it got here as early because the third spherical.

The Spaniard, who has had a very poor 2022, narrowly outplayed Kvitova within the first set, earlier than a single break of serve within the second was sufficient to stage the proceedings. Muguruza got here out of the blocks within the third and took a 5-2 lead, earlier than Kvitova’s resurgence took the set to a tiebreaker, which the Czech narrowly gained 12-10, to spherical out a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 victory.

Kvitova is peaking on the proper time, having reached the ultimate in Cincinnati, and with a fourth spherical towards eighth seed Jessica Pegula, and potential quarterfinal with Swiatek, looming, she’s one to observe.

Other notable outcomes

Jannik Sinner def. Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Sinner has had loads of tough assignments within the first week in New York, and navigating one other one with maturity would solely do wonders for his confidence. Big decide to go deep.

Andrey Rublev def. Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6

The form of matchup that almost all would tennis followers would suppose is just too early to happen within the third spherical, however is indicative of the duo’s kind this 12 months. Rublev did effectively to come back again from 2-1 down, even when he didn’t capitalise on two match factors within the fifth. Entertaining one.

Karolina Pliskova def. Belinda Bencic 5-7, 6-4, 6-3

Bencic was one of many hyped gamers within the girls’s draw, however she got here up towards a resolute Pliskova, whose comeback was paying homage to a former World No. 1. She’s slipped underneath the radar and will trigger bother for the highest contenders subsequent week, beginning with a mouthwatering conflict with Victoria Azarenka on Monday.