John Isner's singles career comes to an end. And the appreciation was evident on Grandstand.
Five Things We Learned from Day Four of 2023 US Open including Isner farewell and Murray soul searching
Tennis NewsFriday, 01 September 2023 at 16:30
Day Four of the 2023 US Open is complete and with only a short time until Day Five begins, we take a look at what we learned from the latest action in Flushing Meadows.
Including John Isner's emotional farewell and Andy Murray soul searching after his early defeat to Dimitrov.
1. Isner has second farewell after stint at US Open initially prolonged
38-year-old John Isner was given a farewell in his first match with some in the USTA seemingly expecting that he wouldn't win his opener. But as ever with tennis, it is unpredictable and for Isner, he won through to a tie with Michael Mmoh.
He had the chance even to reach the third round, but Mmoh produced an almighty comeback which will be at the back of people's mind unless you dislike John Isner.
A player who helped anchor American Men's Tennis before Fritz and Tiafoe, he ended on a tiebreak in an ironic turn of events given that he was the first to reach 500 in the Open Era.
But it was a night of retirements as Jack Sock also bowed out from tennis alongside Coco Gauff in the mixed doubles. A player who led alongside Isner, but albeit eight years younger. He will go onto play pickleball, but the accolades are there for Isner.
2. Murray set to go soul searching with future in question
Andy Murray is very much still able to play at a top level, but was left disheartened as he yet again couldn't produce at a Grand Slam as he hoped.
Losing out to Grigor Dimitrov who battled through an epic with Alex Molcan only two days prior, he even admitted post match that he was wondering if it was all worth it.
But that the only solace was that he continues to climb the rankings after being rock bottom previously.
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Similar to Isner, it makes fans think whether he will continue if the passion and battle is not there and the wins in particular are not forthcoming.
He also said that he didn't deserve to play Davis Cup afterwards meaning a potential stint away on the sidelines could be forthcoming. But while Murray failed to deliver, Katie Boulter and Jack Draper who themselves have had injury battles (more than most) battled through for Brit hopes.
Keep on fighting, @andy_murray ❤️ 🎥 @usopen | #USOpen
3. Svitolina summer continues as Ukrainian defies recent injury woes
With Caroline Wozniacki and Jennifer Brady playing this evening after returning to the sport this summer, it is Elina Svitolina who gets all the accolades.
Rightfully so, with the Ukrainian in a boot two weeks ago and seemingly on course to end one of the best summers of her career injured and again having to come back.
But the boot came off and the form also came back. Caring more if her husband Gael Monfils had started his match on Grandstand during the tie, she dealt with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Next up is a real popcorn clash and one that will headline likely on Day Six against Jessica Pegula. One of America's finest hopes facing a player who the whole tour is super pleased to have back and playing some of her best.
While Wozniacki and Brady may have further success, it will be Svitolina who will likely take comeback player of the year at this early stage when the WTA Awards get released.
Elina Svitolina comes from one set down to secure a Round 2 victory. 👏
4. Alcaraz unstoppable again
Similar to Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz who is his main rival to the title has been in truly sensational form.
The new sleeveless Alcaraz continued that in the New York heat by taking down Lloyd Harris successfully.
Albeit unlike his opener, there was no singing and he will hope to not be singing the blues and continue his unstoppable form when he faces Dan Evans.
Evans himself won recently in Washington so has been in title winning form and the 26th seed who has had a tumultuous road will hope to add to the Brit hopes and blaze his own trail by adding to a number of seeds who have headed home early.
CARLOS ALCARAZ! JUST…WOW! Amazing Point! 👏🔥
5. Bad luck Berrettini returns
But while in certain sections, it was a night to remember. It was firmly a night to forget for Matteo Berrettini.
Berrettini rolled his ankle seemingly in an injury that many thought was a lot worse. But he still left the court and the tournament in tears and in a wheelchair.
A player who like Svitolina many delighted in seeing return to some semblance of his best has been the recipient of some utterly torrid luck.
That continues and he will again likely have a stint off court that will be unwanted for the Italian as he fell to Arthur Rinderknech.
Matteo Berrettini let out a scream after he got injured at the US Open. He laid there for a moment & then just yelled at the top of his lungs. There was obviously physical pain in this scream. But also a ton of emotional pain as well. Awful. 💔
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- That means all the quality women players will not be participating. Therefore, Iga is all that is remaining and she should have joined them.crissy26-07-2024
- She has been getting many things lately since hiring Brad Gilbert as a coach, including cupcake draws.crissy26-07-2024
- leave her alone - she's not strong enough physically - and with the disproportionate amount of attention she is being destroyed mentally as well.Juliet20-07-2024
- oh no mention of the absence of Belinda Bencic - she is the defending Gold medalistJuliet20-07-2024
- What about the current womens Olympic Gold medallist - Belinda Bencic? she will be missing - not worth a mention? hmmm....Juliet20-07-2024
