US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka runs riot enroute the quarter-final; other results

Naomi Osaka beats Anett Kontaveit in fourth round match

Naomi Osaka is bidding to win a third Grand Slam as she underlined her status as US Open favourite after demolishing Anett Kontaveit on her way to the quarter-finals.

The Japanese star, who is seeded fourth, is proving to be the woman to beat at Flushing Meadows, as she had in the Western & Southern Open too, and showed exactly why as she hit Kontaveit off the court in a 6-3 6-4 win in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The former champion who won the competition in 2018 will next face Shelby Rogers in the last eight and will have her eyes on a third Grand Slam title.

“For me I haven’t played her in a while, she is a great player,” Osaka says. “I am just going into it very optimistic. I feel like I would be the underdog having never beaten her. I am happy to be still here.

“My leg felt better, I felt like I was moving well so I am happy about that.”

Watch the match highlights below…

Rogers battled in a three-set win over sixth seed Petra Kvitova to set her date with Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals.

The American had to save four match points before eventually triumphing 7-5 (7-5) 3-6 7-6 (8-6).

Angelique Kerber overpowered by Jennifer Brady

Jennifer Brady brushed aside former US Open champion Angelique Kerber 6-1 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

The 25-year-old American enjoyed a fine start to the year and has kept the momentum going following the resumption of the tour, winning her first WTA title in Lexington last month.

“Wow, it feels great, I’m so happy. I played a spectacular first set,” Brady says, straight after her victory.

“The second set I really just tried to focus on every single point. I was getting a little frustrated, I felt a little pain in my leg, but I just really wanted to close it out in two sets.”

Watch the match highlights below…

Brady has yet to drop a set in Flushing Meadows and has lost just 19 games in her four matches despite losing her previous fourth-round appearances at majors.

Related

• US Open 2020: Serena Williams victorious against Sloane Stephens
• US Open 2020: Dominic Thiem defeats Marin Cilic as Daniil Medvedev also cruise into the next round
• US Open 2020: Novak Djokovic disqualified for striking ball at line judge

Putintseva came through a topsy-turvy 6-3 2-6 6-4 encounter inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium against the eighth seed Petra Martic.

“I’m very happy and excited. I was so excited to step out onto this big court,” she says of her first match on the main court at Flushing Meadows.

“Without fans, it wasn’t so stressful! So, that helped me to take it easy. It means a lot to me [to win] right now, I’m very happy.”

Four Round results

Top Half

Jennifer Brady (USA) (28) bt Angelique Kerber (Ger) (17) 6-1 6-4

Yulia Putintseva (Kaz) (23) bt Petra Martic (Cro) (8) 6-3 2-6 6-4

Naomi Osaka (Jpn) (4) bt Anett Kontaveit (Est) (14) 6-3 6-4

Shelby Rogers (USA) bt Petra Kvitova (Cze) (6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 7-6 (8-6)

Bottom Half

Alize Cornet (Fra) vs Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)

Maria Sakkari (Gre) (15) vs Serena Williams (USA) (3)

Victoria Azarenka (Blr) vs Karolina Muchova (Cze) (20)

Elise Mertens (Bel) (16) vs Sofia Kenin (USA) (2)