The fifth day of the US Open brought some exciting match-ups and some close matches. All the players were vying for a place in the fourth round of the 2018 US Open.
Nadal v Khachanov
Played under a closed roof and in almost perfect conditions. This was a match few predicted would be so close. Khachanov proved to everyone on Arthur Ashe Stadium that he had no nerves whatsoever; he could go toe-to-toe throughout the match with the world No.1. In the end, the Spaniard prevailed (5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6) but Khachanov can take a lot of positives out of the match and build on it for the rest of the season.
Serena Williams v Venus Williams
Serena played aggressively throughout the match, giving her older sister no rhythm to settle down in the match whatsoever. Her lopsided 6-1 6-2 win tonight proved to the players in the locker room that is she a contender for this year’s tournament. She looked like the Serena of old and was sharp throughout the match.
Juan Martin del Potro v Fernando Verdasco
Not much separated between these two players in the match. The main difference was that the Argentine played the big points better than Verdasco and that made all the difference.
In the second set, Del Potro did get distracted by a fan who shouted “out” mid-rally which left del Potro frustrated and looking for the culprit. He regrouped eventually as he beat the Spaniard 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 on an electric night session atmosphere on Arthur Ashe Stadium and closed the fifth day of the US Open.
Milos Raonic v Stan Wawrinka
Wawrinka looked in control of the first set and had set points before Raonic stole the set off the Swiss. The first set proved to be the decisive factor in the match, as the Swiss did not look like the same person after the first set – more erratic unforced errors, and looking annoyed and grimacing as the unforced errors count piled up on him. Raonic capitalized on this opportunity and eventually prevailed in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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