Naomi Osaka storms into quarters; Rogers upsets Kvitova

Shapovalov becomes first Canadian man to reach the US Open quarters

NEW YORK: Former champion Naomi Osaka was at her free-swinging best as she stormed into the US Open quarter-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Anett Kontaveit on Sunday.

In a battle of baseline blasters, fourth seed Osaka had the edge in firepower over 14th seed Kontaveit in the late match at Arthur Ashe stadium.

Kontaveit showed grit to save five match points at 5-4 in the second set but bowed out netting a forehand at the end of another baseline skirmish.

Osaka's left thigh was heavily strapped as she continues to manage a hamstring injury but she moved superbly to set up a clash against unseeded American Shelby Rogers.

American Shelby Rogers ousted sixth seed Petra Kvitova in the fourth round, winning 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) in one of the most tightly-contested matches of the tournament so far.

Rogers saved four match points in a strong defensive effort that saw her commit a dozen fewer unforced errors than her opponent, as the twice Wimbledon champion struggled with her serve and committed seven double faults, including one late in the third-set tiebreak.

The 27-year-old flipped her racket, pumped her hands and screamed as she booked her first-ever US Open quarter-final berth inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Denis Shapovalov regrouped after losing a terrible first set tie-break to beat David Goffin 6-7(0), 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 and become the first Canadian man to reach the US Open quarter-finals in the Open era.

Shapovalov will next face Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter-finals after the 20th seed was awarded his fourth round match against Novak Djokovic by default when the world number one hit a line judge with a ball.

It will be Shapovalov's first Grand Slam quarter-final and could lead the way for a Canadian charge into the last eight with compatriots Vasek Pospisil and Felix Auger-Aliassime playing their fourth round clashes on Monday.

Goffin made a strong start to the match then ran away with the first set tie-break 7-0 and Shapovalov said he used the time between sets to regroup.

The Canadian rallied in the second set behind a powerful serve and strong forehand, and the momentum swung in his favour when he broke for the first time in the fourth game.

The 12th seed took what opportunities came his way in the third set and fought off Goffin's only break opportunity in the eighth game with his 11th ace.

He raced to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set but surprisingly failed to serve out while leading 5-2 as Goffin got his first break of the match.

However, Shapovalov settled down and sealed the win on his third match point to set up the clash with Carreno Busta, who beat him in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows in 2017.

Alexander Zverev slammed down 18 aces en route to demolishing Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round.

After an early break for the 2-1 lead, the 23-year-old German never let his Spanish opponent get a foothold in the match. He produced 39 winners and dropped just one service game during a ruthless performance.

Davidovich Fokina grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second set but the advantage was shortlived as Zverev broke back before racing away with the set. He sealed it with an ace.

The Spaniard barely had a chance to make an impact on the world number seven's serve, the fastest clocking at 139 mph, just shy of his personal record of 142 mph.

Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva reached the last 8 stage with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over eighth seed Petra Martic in a see-saw encounter.

Jennifer Brady produced a fearless brand of tennis to topple 2016 champion Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open. Agencies

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