NEW YORK: Daniil Medvedev advanced to his third straight US Open semifinal on Tuesday while Canadian 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez delivered another stunner to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Russian second seed Medvedev, chasing his first Slam title, eliminated 117th-ranked Dutch qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I just want to do a little bit better than the last two times and get this extra step, which is the toughest one, actually,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev moved one victory from a possible championship match against history-chasing Novak Djokovic.
The 25-year-old from Moscow was a 2019 US Open runner-up and lost this year’s Australian Open final to top-ranked Djokovic, who seeks his fourth US Open title to complete the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. “I don’t think about him, because as we saw, anybody can beat anybody,” Medvedev said. “If he’s in the final, and if I’m there, I’m happy. He’s also happy, I guess.”
Fernandez, who had already ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka and three-time Slam winner Angelique Kerber, defeated Ukraine’s fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). “I told myself to trust my shots,” Fernandez said. “Even if I lose, I’ve got to go for it. And I’m glad I did.”
Fernandez, ranked 73rd, was inspired by pre-match strategy from her father/coach Jorge, a former Ecuadoran football player. “He told me to go out and have fun, fight for every point,” she said. “It’s your first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Don’t make it your last. Don’t make it your last match over here. Fight for your dream.”
Medvedev will next face Canadian 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, 21, who reached his first Slam semifinal when 55th-ranked Spanish 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz retired trailing 6-3, 3-1 with a leg injury.
“It’s an amazing milestone,” said Auger-Aliassime. “It’s a weird way to end but I’ll have a chance to play one of the best players in the world. I’m happy I’m through and I’ll try to win the next one.” Medvedev won his only meeting with Auger-Aliassime in Canada in 2018.
Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, guides Auger-Aliassime. “The communication has been great, the work is good and the results are coming,” Auger-Aliassime said.
Left-hander Fernandez, who turned 19 on Mondaybooked a semifinal matchup against second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who defeated Czech eighth seed and reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-4. “She’s playing well,” Sabalenka said of Fernandez. “She’s moving well and the crowd cheers for her. I’d say nothing to lose for this one.”
Sabalenka matched her deepest Slam run from July at Wimbledon with a WTA-best 43rd match win of 2021. — AFP
He told me to go out and have fun, fight for every point. It’s your first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Don’t make it your last. Don’t make it your last match over here. Fight for your dream
Leylah FernandezCanada player
Men (quarterfinals)Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN x12) bt Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 6-3, 3-1, retired, leg injury; Daniil Medvedev (RUS x2) bt Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5Women (quarterfinals)Leylah Fernandez (CAN) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR x5) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5); Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x2) bt Barbora Krejcikova (CZE x8) 6-1, 6-4
US Open results
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