Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner continued their respective marches at the US Open on Monday as both seeds eased into the quarter-finals with straight-sets victories.
Women's world No 1 Swiatek opened the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium with a routine 6-4, 6-1 win over Russian 16th seed Liudmila Samsonova in exactly 90 minutes, before top-ranked men's player Sinner disappointed a partisan crowd with a 7-6, 7-6, 6-1 win over American Tommy Paul in an entertaining fourth-round tie.
Swiatek, 23, is the only former singles champion left in her draw and the Pole hit her impressive stride in a comfortable win over Samsonova before warning she was only going to improve.
"At the beginning, it wasn't easy to get the rhythm," the 2022 champion said of her week in New York. "So I'm happy that I got some matches here and for sure, I'm feeling better and better every day."
Following the Polish star on Ashe, Sinner barely got a look at Paul's serve until the third set but produced his best tennis when it mattered to subdue the American and move on to a mouth-watering last-eight meeting with 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev.
"I can be very proud today, it was a tough opponent, so I'm very happy to be in the next round," said Sinner, who beat Medvedev in Melbourne in January to win his only Grand Slam title.
"I didn't start very well (but) I tried to stay there mentally. And for sure, this today was one of the keys to win this match."
Russian Medvedev, winner in New York in 2021, had earlier brushed aside a delay caused by a fire alarm in the building where the Hawkeye line-calling system is housed to pummel Portugal's Nuno Borges 6-0, 6-1, 6-3.
Pegula gives home fans reason to cheer
American fans on Arthur Ashe earlier had something to cheer on their Labor Day holiday as Jessica Pegula efficiently disposed of Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals without dropping a set.
The sixth seed, who missed the French Open due to injury but won a US Open tune-up event in Canada last month, said she felt her game was trending in the right direction.
"Today was the best I've felt off the ground so I want to keep working and bringing my best tennis for the later rounds," the 30-year-old said. "There's always a lot of pressure here but I like it. It's nice being an American here and getting all the support."
Pegula has reached the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams but never further and her path to the semis this week is blocked by the imposing figure of world No 1 Swiatek.
The only minor surprise on the eighth day of the championships came when Karolina Muchova, a semi-finalist here last year, ousted Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 6-3.
Unseeded after surgery on a wrist injury sustained at last year's US Open sidelined her for 10 months, the Czech showed her quality to outclass Paolini, who had reached the finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.
Muchova will next face Beatriz Haddad Maia after the Brazilian produced 40 winners to send former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki packing 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Draper to face De Minaur
Jack Draper was also in action at Louis Armstrong Stadium and became the first British man since Andy Murray in 2016 to reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows after a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of Tomas Machac.
The 25th seed has yet to drop a set at the tournament and will face Australian Alex de Minaur in his first Grand Slam quarter-final on Wednesday.
De Minaur came out on top 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a tight tussle with compatriot Jordan Thompson to reach the last eight at a third straight Grand Slam, the first Australian man to do so since Lleyton Hewitt two decades ago.
"I've got so much respect for Thommo," said the 10th seed. "We've grown up together, he's been like a big brother to me, so I really appreciate everything he's done for me, and he's a hell of a competitor."
Zayed Sustainability Prize
RESULT
Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
GCC-UK%20Growth
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
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The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More on animal trafficking
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
More coverage from the Future Forum
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
