U.S. Open 2025: Flawless Fritz eases into quarterfinals; Gutsy Krejcikova survives home favourite Townsend
U.S. Open 2025: Flawless Fritz eases into quarterfinals; Gutsy Krejcikova survives home favourite Townsend
American Taylor Fritz kept the Stars and Stripes fluttering at the U.S. Open on Sunday by swatting aside Czech Republic’s 21st seed Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to book his spot in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam for the third consecutive year.
In women’s singles Barbora Krejcikova saved eight match points in a gladiatorial duel with American Taylor Townsend, clawing her way to a dramatic 1-6, 7-6(13), 6-3 victory on Sunday, calling her escape “very brave and a little lucky” as she secured a place in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
The two-time Grand Slam champion mounted a thrilling showcase of resilience in New York, clinching the win in a three-hour battle to extend her U.S. Open campaign. She will now face another American and last year’s runner-up Jessica Pegula.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Definitely at all those match points, I was just very brave, but also lucky at certain points,” Krejcikova told reporters.
“We had great rallies, and I was facing them when I was serving, then when I was returning.
“It was really tough to know what is going to happen or what to expect. I was just trying to put the ball on her side, in that space, and hoping that I’m going to save it.”
Last year’s runner-up Fritz is the sole American man left from the 23 who began the main draw and also the nation’s last hope of ending a 22-year major drought since Andy Roddick held aloft the sterling silver trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2003.
“It’s been a tough week for the guys,” said Fritz.
“I wasn’t expecting that. I felt really good about our chances this week. I’m happy to be here and happy to be the last one standing. Hopefully the crowd will get behind me and will me through it.”
The 27-year-old went toe-to-toe with Machac in the opening set, which he clinched with a break in the 10th game after the Czech hit a backhand wide, and dialled up the intensity in the eighth game of the next set at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
A second break handed Fritz the advantage and he quickly doubled his lead in the encounter with a near-flawless service game, leaving his jolted opponent facing a daunting task to reach his maiden major quarter-final.
“I had some battles in the last couple of matches,” Fritz added. “I felt very dialled in tonight … solid, aggressive at the right times.”
Published on Sep 01, 2025
