US Open day four: Roger rocked, Rafa rolls

After a hectic day three, normal order was restored on day four at Flushing Meadows, with the second round coming to a close. But not before Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer stumbled (again), and a couple of big names bit the dust.

The men: Nadal stumbles, Federer rocked

It wasn’t easy, but Rafael Nadal got there in the end. The Spaniard trailed Japan’s Taro Daniel by a set and a break, before roaring back to book his spot in the third round with a 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 win on Arthur Ashe. This wasn’t vintage Nadal, the top seed surrendering three straight games as the opening set went to Daniel. Indeed, when the world No.121 broke to lead 2-1 at the start of the second things looked rocky. But Nadal hit straight back, and from then started to dominate. Daniel fought, but Nadal was simply too good as he booked a third round meeting with Leonardo Mayer.

“All the matches are difficult here,” Nadal said after the win. “I’m just happy to be through.”

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These are nervous times for Roger Federer fans. Yes, the great one managed to find a way past Mikhail Youzhny (and man he had beaten in everyone of their 16 previous matches), but it was far from easy. Starting the stronger, Federer seemed to struggle physically as the match went on, with Youzhny taking control. However, the third seed dug deep and eventually managed to secure a 6-1 6-7(3) 4-6 6-4 6-2 win in just over three hours.

“These five-set battles are actually quite a lot of fun,” Federer said after the match, “and I feel quite warmed up by now.”

Federer may have survived, but two ‘big’ names fell by the wayside on day four. First to exit was Grigor Dimitrov, who was bundled out of the tournament 7-5 7-6(3) 6-3 by Russian teenager Andrey Rublev. Then 15th seed Tomas Berdych was bundled out by Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov. The Czech started the stronger, but Dolgopolov hit back to win 3-6 6-1 7-6(5) 6-2.

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Elsewhere, Dominic Thiem was a 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-5 winner over America’s Taylor Fritz; Juan Martin del Potro was a 6-2 6-3 7-6(3) winner against Adrian Menendez-Maceiras; Gael Monfils won a titanic battle with Donald Young, winning 6-3 6-7(3) 6-4 2-6 7-5; David Goffin downed Guido Pella 3-6 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 7-6(4) 6-3; and John Millman was a 6-1 7-6(1) 6-1 winner over Malek Jaziri.

The women: Pliskova battles through

There was a moment (or two) when Karolina Pliskova looked like she was in trouble. The top seed, who needs to reach the final to hold on to her world No.1 ranking, was down a set and seemed out of sorts on Arthur Ashe. However, Pliskova rallied and managed to secure a tight 2-6 6-3 6-4 win.

“In the second set I started to serve better and get easy points with my first serve, which was much needed,” Pliskova said. “I’m happy I managed to get through.”

Pliskova wasn’t the only seed to be tested on day four. Elina Svitolina was forced to battle hard during her match with Evgeniya Rodina, eventually downing the Russian 6-4 6-4. French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko was another player forced to dig deep as she found a way through Sorana Cirstea. But Svetlana Kuznetsova wasn’t so fortunate – the injured Russian was ousted 6-3 3-6 6-3 by Japan’s Kurumi Nara.

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It was a good day for American tennis, with CoCo Vandeweghe beating Ons Jabeur 7-6(6) 6-2; Madison Keys easing past Tatiana maria 6-3 6-4; Jennifer Brady walloping Barbora Strycova 6-1 6-1; and Shelby Rogers winning the longest women’s match in US Open history, downing Daria Gavrilova 7-6(6) 4-6 7-6(5).

Elsewhere, Lucie Safarova was a 6-1 3-6 6-2 winner over Nao Hibino; Agnieszka Radwanska beat Yulia Putintseva 7-5 6-2; and Elena Vesnina downed Kirsten Flipkens 6-4 6-4.