Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday September 1, 2024 at 11:31 p.m.
Respectively facing Grigor Dimitrov and Taylor Fritz, the Russian Andrey Rublev and the Norwegian Casper Ruud bit the dust in the 8th finals of the US Open.
The first men’s round of 16 of the US Open had the honor of being held this Sunday on the Arthur Ashe court. A logical choice on the part of the organizers for a clash between the seeds n°6 and n°9, Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov. Pushed around, the Russian gave up the first set (6-3). He then tied with the Bulgarian but the latter, who could not be more pragmatic, won the tie-break in the second act (7-3) to position himself one set from the match.
But Andrey Rublev has resources. He then stepped up his game to win the next two sets with authority (1-6, 3-6). However, in the last chapter of this thriller, Grigor Dimitrov had the last word thanks to the only break point obtained, and converted, while The Russian did not make good use of either of the two similar opportunities he had (6-3, 7-6(3), 1-6, 3-6, 6-3). For only the second time in his career at 33 years old, the world No. 9 returns to the quarter-finals at the US Open. The last time was in 2019, he pushed Roger Federer to the 5th set before losing. This year, it will be either against the American Frances Tiafoe or the Australian Alexei Popyrin.
Ruud swept away by Fritz’s power
The second 8th final played in New York this Sunday also pitted two top 15 seeds from the world: Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz. The former, favourite due to his status as world number 8, started his arm wrestling well, winning the first set 3-6. But he then suffered the full force of the American’s power, pushed on by a passionate crowd. The winner of the Delray Beach and Eastbourne tournaments this year spent the bagatelle of 24 aces and 56 winning shots to finally win in four sets against the Norwegian (3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2)In the quarter-finals for the third time this year in a Grand Slam (eliminated by the same Casper Ruud in the 8th round at Roland-Garros), Taylor Fritz awaits the winner of the match between the American Brandon Nakashima and the German Alexander Zverev.
