The first day of round 4 action is done and dusted and it was a very good day of tennis.

Today we start with the men’s side of the draw and the first match on was between 6th seed, Rublev, and 9th seed, Dimitrov and what a match it was from both players. Dimitrov started the better of the 2 and raced to a 2 set lead before Rublev found some momentum and leveled the match at 2 sets all. Dimitrov managed to get the all important break in the 5th and final set to stop the momentum of Rublev and this was enough for the Bulgarian to book his spot in the quarter-finals. The first time since 2019. The score ended 6-3; 7-6(3); 1-6; 3-6; 6-3

The 2nd match on was between 12th seed, Fritz and 8th seed and 2 times finalist at the US Open, Ruud. Fritz was the slight favourite for me heading into the match as his scores suggested he was playing some great tennis but it was Ruud who initially took the lead and the opening set. Fritz however leveled the match at 1 set all before taking the match in 4 sets. 3-6; 6-4; 6-3; 6-2.

4th seed, Zverev was up against the best male pick so far in the fantasy league unseeded Nakashima. It was to the surprise of many Nakashima who started the better of the 2 players and he took the opening set. Just as Fritz did however, Zverev then took the next 3 sets comfortably to book his spot in the quarter-finals where he will face Fritz. Zverev the highest seed left in the bottom half of the draw. The Germans score was 3-6; 6-1; 6-2; 6-2 and now has become the best male pick alongside his next opponent Fritz.

The last mens match was between 20th seed, Tiafoe and 28th seed Popyrin. Tiafoe the stronger of the 2 on paper and he proved this as he took the match in 4 sets much to the delight of the 12 teams who have picked him. He will face Dimitrov for a spot in the semi-finals. The score was 6-4; 7-6(3); 2-6; 6-3.

Onto the ladies draw and Badosa started the day against Y.F. Wang. The 26th seed Spaniard won comfortably dropping just 3 games on her way to the quarter-finals. The score was 6-1; 6-2.

The all American encounter was next up and it was between defending champ and 3rd seed, Gauff, and 13th seed, Navarro. Navarro took the opening set however the momentum shifted in the 2nd set and it was Gauff who took the 2nd set to send us into a decider. There will be no defending of her title as Navarro got the better of her fellow American, Gauff 6-3; 4-6; 6-3 to book her spot in the quarter-finals where she will play Badosa.

2nd seed, Sabalenka and many peoples favourite to go all the way dispatched of Mertens who had had a good tournament up until yesterday. Sabalenka winning 6-2; 6-4 and continues her run to the title.

Her next opponent will be 7th seed, and gold medalist, Zheng who came through yet another 3 set encounter bringing her tally up to 3 out of 4 matches going the distance. Zheng beat 24th seed, Vekic much to the disappointment of the 8 teams who had picked the Croatian. The score ended 7-6(2); 4-6; 6-2.

Onto the fantasy league and our leader ‘Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of’ continue to lead however their gap out front has been reduced to just 2 points over ‘Lord of the Strings’. Then there is a huge 11 point gap to 3rd which is a tie between ‘Team Kickbutt’ and ‘Sinner’s Physio’. 5th place and moving up 5 spots is ‘Uncle Sam’s Army’. ‘Fraud Watch’ sits in 6th while 7th place there is a tie between our once leader ‘Stars and Stripes’ and ‘Oh My Hat’.

The wooden spoon remains with ‘Victorious Secret’ but the gap is just 2 points to ‘Two Left Feet’. The rest of the field have opened the gap so looks like it is between these 2 for the wooden spoon.

Jared

Jared matriculated in 2020 from Wynberg Boys High School in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. His passion for tennis afforded him the opportunity of travelling to Europe. He is a quizmaster and a tennis fantasy league organiser.http://Eishonline.co.za/jftl