The 143rd US Open Tennis Championship brought many anticipated moments, yet also surprised in certain aspects. The primary takeaway post the American tournament was the shift in global rankings across almost every category. Novak Djokovic surpasses Carlos Alcaraz, while Aryna Sabalenka moves ahead of Iga Swiatek. In the doubles ranking, Austin Krajicek now leads, with Katerina Siniakova falling behind Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
In this article, we revisit the key moments of the men’s tournament.
Two of the three top seeds reached the final
In the men’s singles, the final pitted Novak Djokovic against Daniil Medvedev, ending 6:3, 7:6(5), 6:3. On his path to the final, Novak faced a few challenging moments, especially during the match against compatriot Laslo Djere. Medvedev, showcasing solid form, reached the final despite previous hurdles.
Djokovic dominated the final match, effortlessly claiming his 24th Grand Slam title. He continues to elevate his achievements, surpassing Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Interestingly, most bookmakers, including Pin-Up UZ, had pegged the Serbian as the primary contender for victory. And that’s precisely what happened.
Other notable mentions: John Isner retired after a loss to Michael Mmoh, setting a record for the most tie-breaks played. Meanwhile, Jack Sock and Eugenie Bouchard seemingly concluded their tennis careers, accepting invitations to pickleball.
Best Match of the US Open: The clash between Stricker and Tsitsipas
In the second round of the US Open, Dominic Stricker faced off against the seventh seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas. In a grueling 5-set battle with three tie-breaks, the young 21-year-old Swiss, Stricker, triumphed over Tsitsipas, who had previously struggled on the American courts both last year and this one. Intriguingly, Stricker then went on to win another five-setter but could not match up against Taylor Fritz in the fourth round.
Breakthroughs at the US Open
Several athletes managed to surprise and exceed expectations:
- Ben Shelton – This 20-year-old American made a commendable mark at this US Open. He showcased exceptional tennis, beating the likes of Dominic Thiem and Aslan Karatsev. However, his journey ended in the semi-finals, halted by the world’s best tennis player, Novak Djokovic.
- Rinki Hidzikata – The 22-year-old, until recently, was recognized at the challenger level, but at the US Open, he brought his A-game, progressing through several rounds before being stopped by Frances Tiafoe.
- Matteo Arnaldi – This 22-year-old Italian made his presence felt on the New York courts, beating multiple formidable opponents. However, his journey came to a halt against Carlos Alcaraz, the world ranking leader.
These young players undoubtedly left their mark on the tournament, and we eagerly await their future performances in upcoming tournaments.
Major Disappointments of the US Open: Ruud and Rune
Casper Ruud, the Norwegian tennis player, attempted to defend his previous year’s US Open final but fell short, dropping four spots in the global rankings. He was halted in the second round by Chinese player, Zhang Zhizhen. Holger Rune of Denmark also fell short of expectations. Despite only defending a third-round spot, his loss in the opening match was unexpected. Post the tournament, Rune ended his partnership with coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Fortune’s Favorite: Borna Gojo
Borna Gojo, starting from the qualifiers, managed to reach the fourth round courtesy of a favorable draw. In the opening round, he bested Hugo Dellien from Bolivia. His journey didn’t cross paths with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo due to these players’ unexpected losses. Gojo faced only those at or below his level. However, in the round of 16, he met the world’s top tennis player, Novak Djokovic. While Gojo gave a commendable performance, he stood no chance against the Serbian maestro, who finished the match in three sets.
These tales underscore the unpredictability and intrigue of each Grand Slam tournament, highlighting how players’ fortunes can swing from one match to the next.
