You might still be recovering from a fabulously frenetic Friday at Flushing Meadows, but Grand Slams don’t sit still. Saturday offers up another scintillating schedule at the 2024 US Open.
USOpen.org previews Day 6 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, with Round of 16 tickets within reach.
Medvedev back to the 'restaurant'
There is no one quite like the mercurial Daniil Medvedev. During his on-court interview following a clinical straight-sets victory over Fabian Marozsan in Round 2, the No. 5 had quite the take on the unique US Open atmosphere.
“I felt like I was in an Italian restaurant. The food is great. The aftertaste is great. But your head is like this," he said, miming an exploding head. "It was a fun feeling."
The 2021 US Open champion has a reservation in the third round to take on Italian Flavio Cobolli, one of the most improved players on tour in 2024. The rapid, daring 22-year-old hasn't taken on Medvedev yet, but has taken down the likes of Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul on this American hard-court swing.
Whatever is on the menu, this match is going to be an absolute feast in Arthur Ashe Stadium as the night session's closer.
Top seeds seeking sweet 16
When 2022 US Open champion Iga Swiatek reaches top gear, the Pole is simply unplayable. Just ask Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova–who was swatted aside 6-0, 6-0 in their lone meeting in Rome last year. That's some scoreline against a player who has been a Grand Slam runner-up, at Roland Garros in 2021.
Pavlyuchenkova may not be at the peak of her powers—however, as a former quarterfinalist in New York (2011), she'll be able to pounce on any let up from the world No. 1 under the lights.
Over to fellow top seed Jannik Sinner: With title rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic out of the picture, how will the world No.1 react facing Christopher O'Connell?
The Australian can cause trouble, having claimed their first head-to-head meeting 7-6(7), 6-4 in Atlanta three years ago. But as recently as March, Sinner defeated O’Connell 6-4, 6-3 at the Miami Masters.
Can Botic back it up?
Rewind to Roland-Garros in May and Botic van de Zandschulp considered quitting tennis having endured a nasty combination of injuries and a drain of confidence. But in New York? What a turnaround.
The Dutchman, a breakout quarterfinalist at the 2021 US Open, soared back into the spotlight with a second round 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz–who had won the past two majors.
Van de Zandschulp will seek to replicate that remarkable level in a clash with British youngster Jack Draper. The world No. 25 is enjoying his finest Grand Slam to date, so something has to give on Grandstand and this promises to be an intriguing arm wrestle.
Paolini on the march
Scuttling from line to line, competing with a cheek-to-cheek smile, it’s a joy to witness Jasmine Paolini wield her racquet. The No. 5 seed has transformed into a Grand Slam contender with runner-up spots at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season.
On Saturday, the Italian will need to be proactive facing the unrelenting defense and defiance of Yulia Putintseva. The Kazakh stunned Swiatek from a set down at Wimbledon and also overcame Coco Gauff a fortnight ago 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in Cincinnati.
Young to wave goodbye?
This year's US Open is the final tournament for American Donald Young. The left-hander reached a career-high world No. 38 and reached the last 16 in Queens in both 2011 and 2015.
What a way to bow out: After a Round 1 win on Friday win mixed doubles alongside fellow American Taylor Townsend, Court 7 will be packed, and ardently cheering on the USA duo in a match with Hugo Nys and Nadiia Kichenok.
