Khachanov Advances as Blockx Exits US Open Quarterfinals
Karen Khachanov is into the US Open semi-finals, but the story of the night was the 21-year-old across the net who refused to quit until his body finally gave in.
Midway through the third set, Alexander Blockx walked to the net, offered his hand, and called time on a quarterfinal that had turned into a test of pain tolerance as much as talent. The Belgian, making his main-draw US Open debut, simply had nothing left.
“Blockx has nothing left,” Nick Lester said in commentary as the pair shook hands, capturing the stark reality of a young player pushed beyond his physical limits.
Blockx had been battling on multiple fronts. Blisters. A rib issue he reportedly carried into the match. A back that needed repeated treatment at the change of ends. His support box grew more anxious with every grimace, every medical timeout, as the question shifted from “Can he come back?” to “Is he risking something worse by staying out there?”
Khachanov, relentless and efficient, had already tightened his grip on the match. He had taken the second set, and at 1-1 in the third he was closing in on the last four while Blockx’s body was clearly unravelling. The Belgian wasn’t limping around or handing over free points, but each service game looked like a negotiation with his own pain threshold.
From the commentary box, the respect for the youngster’s defiance was unanimous.
“We can see what a great competitor he is … I give him so much credit for continuing competing because he doesn't want to retire and he wants to stay out here on the court and finish the match,” Jelena Dokic said on Nine.
Her admiration came with a warning.
“But then if you've got this many injuries and depending on also what they are, especially the rib as well … you've got to think, ‘can I do more damage here as well?’”
Dokic framed it as a message that would echo beyond this one night.
“He’s showing incredible competitive spirit. This also actually sends a big message to the locker room as well – everyone is always watching.
“He's going to stay out there, that he's a great competitor. He's just 21! To stay out here and keep playing is an incredible effort."
Robbie Koenig struck a similar note, looking past the retirement to the bigger picture of a breakout fortnight.
“He’s had some great wins, played some mesmerising tennis, especially against Flavio Cobolli,” Koenig said. “We are going to see a lot more of this young man in the years to come – fingers crossed that he can stay healthy for long periods of time.
“He's got such an exciting game, he's got such a great attitude out on the court and he's got a big time mentality."
For Blockx, this was supposed to be a dream first run in New York. A debut main draw. A charge all the way to the quarterfinals. It has been memorable, but as Lester put it, “the clock is ticking” when a young body is patched together by tape and treatment.
On this night, the clock finally ran out.
Tiley Promises Scheduling Review After 3.33am Finish
While Khachanov advanced and Blockx limped out, another debate rumbled through Flushing Meadows: how late is too late?
New USTA chief executive Craig Tiley has promised a scheduling review after the men’s quarterfinal between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton finished at 3.33am local time, the latest-ever conclusion at the US Open. The match didn’t even start until after 11pm, with Shelton sealing victory with an ace in the early hours.
Tiley, who stepped into the role after a long stint in the same position with Tennis Australia and the US Open, pointed out that the marathon night was the product of an unusually heavy day.
All four matches on the schedule went the distance. Three of them were decided by 10-point match tiebreaks. That traffic jam pushed the night session back by almost two hours.
“If you look back at schedules, you don't get that ever. So that was particularly special,” Tiley told Stan Sports.
“The stadium was full. Everyone was loving it. We had people watching from all around the world. It was a great time for many people – not necessarily for everyone having to stay up here late and watch it – but it’s just one of those things.
“One thing we always do at the end of every event, we have a look and see what's worked best. Scheduling is also on that list. We'll always look at our options.”
The domino effect was clear.
In the day session, Aryna Sabalenka needed 2 hours 22 minutes to edge Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7). Then Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen went to war for 4 hours 39 minutes, Tiafoe coming back from two sets down and from Michelsen serving for the match to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6).
By the time the night session finally began, Jess Pegula and Emma Navarro produced another long one: Pegula winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in 2 hours 21 minutes. Only then did Alcaraz and Shelton take the stage, their five-set thriller stretching 4 hours 28 minutes before Shelton closed it out 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7).
A full stadium at 3am makes for spectacular television. It also forces the sport to confront whether the spectacle is worth the strain on players, fans, and staff. Tiley has put scheduling on the table. The next step is deciding how far the tournament is willing to go to prevent another 3.33am finish.
Gauff Channels Tiafoe’s Spirit In Another Ashe Comeback
On the same Arthur Ashe Stadium that hosted Tiafoe’s epic escape, Coco Gauff found herself in a similar hole and reached for the same inspiration.
She dropped the first set to Mirra Andreeva. She then faced match points in the second-set tiebreak. The teenager across the net was surging, the match tilting away from her.
Gauff dug in and turned the night around.
“I came out not feeling the ball, giving her too many free points, and Mirra is playing at a great level,” she said in her on-court interview.
When the match tightened, her mind went straight to Tiafoe’s heroics against Michelsen.
“To be honest I was thinking about Frances Tiafoe and how he came back yesterday. We all want to do well in front of this crowd.
“I was just trying to leave this court with no regrets, I didn’t know how the outcome would go, but really, really thank you to you guys. You really pulled me through.”
Gauff eventually completed the turnaround to win in three, feeding off a crowd that has made Ashe one of the most intimidating stages in tennis. Her reward is a semi-final on Friday (AEST) against the new standard-bearer of the women’s game.
Rybakina Ends Sabalenka’s 99-Week Reign At No.1
The WTA Tour wakes up with a new world No.1.
Elena Rybakina will officially take over the top spot on Monday, ending Aryna Sabalenka’s remarkable 99-week grip on the ranking. Since Ash Barty’s sudden retirement in 2022, only Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have held the women’s No.1 position. That duopoly is over.
Rybakina secured the summit by beating Qinwen Zheng in three sets this morning, moving past Sabalenka in the live rankings even though the Belarusian remains in the tournament.
For now, Rybakina is keeping her eyes on the trophy rather than the number.
“It’s just a number right now and of course I’m in the semis so my goal is to win the tournament,” she said.
“It’s an amazing achievement but you know how quick everything can change in tennis, ranking-wise, during the match, so I feel like I just need to focus on my game, try to recover and enjoy tomorrow.”
A young warrior limping out of his breakthrough run. A governing chief weighing up midnight drama against player welfare. A home hope drawing strength from a compatriot’s miracle comeback. A new world No.1 stepping into the spotlight.
New York has a habit of turning one tournament into a crossroads. This year is no different.
