US Open - Day Six

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Can Murray and Evans make it four British in the Fourth Round. Both face totally different challenges. Murray faces Lorenzo who had a marathon match lasting almost five hours in the previous round whilst Evans faces dual slam winner Stan Wawrinka. Also Del Potro is in action as are Dimitrov and Kyrgios.

The key for Dan Evans is to maintain this form, this commitment, this mind set for the future (like Konta). Last year Dan Evans was outside the top 200. But Evans is an intelligent player so if he remains committed and is prepared to work hard he should be a solid top 50 and maybe top 30 player. I mean Stan Wawrinka is ranked three in the world.

Stan holds to love and leads 4-0. The end is in sight.

Nore Staat wrote:The key for Dan Evans is to maintain this form, this commitment, this mind set for the future (like Konta).  Last year Dan Evans was outside the top 200.  But Evans is an intelligent player so if he remains committed and is prepared to work hard he should be a solid top 50 and maybe top 30 player.  I mean Stan Wawrinka is ranked three in the world.

I totally agree but Dan has been here before a few years ago when he exited at the same stage against Robredo here at Flushing Meadows. He had a platform then and never built on it. Hopefully, this time will be different.

Well at least Evans holds serve there and avoids a bagel.

Dan not allowed treatment. He is angry as he claims it isn't cramp.

Wow a massive double fault and Evans has two break points. He takes it and Wawrinka goes mental walkabouts as Evans hauls it back to 2-4.

I think Evans and Krygios have similar temperaments. They are still in the doubles tournament.

The door opens for Stan again. Playing a much better game here and has three break points.

Wawrinka on the brink now and will serve for the match shortly after four epic hours.

Nore Staat wrote:I think Evans and Krygios have similar temperaments.  They are still in the doubles tournament.

They are indeed. Both quite unconventional, head strong and will do things their way or no way.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Nore Staat wrote:The key for Dan Evans is to maintain this form, this commitment, this mind set for the future (like Konta).  Last year Dan Evans was outside the top 200.  But Evans is an intelligent player so if he remains committed and is prepared to work hard he should be a solid top 50 and maybe top 30 player.  I mean Stan Wawrinka is ranked three in the world.

I totally agree but Dan has been here before a few years ago when he exited at the same stage against Robredo here at Flushing Meadows. He had a platform then and never built on it. Hopefully, this time will be different.

I hope the difference is that he is part of the Davis Cup team and has Leon Smith also supporting him.

We all knew that Dan Evans would lose but he has made an epic battle of it.

Stan wins in five and nice touch from Stan with warm words to Evans. Great match.

Evans now should be a regular at the big events if he keeps his head down. Now I may be wrong but perhaps Dan is one of those who struggles for motivation at lesser events and explains mystifying poor form for long stretches.

Well sorry if I overdid the commentary bit but I will now head for bed. Enjoy the rest of the tennis.

No you didn't overdo the commentary. I was reading your commentary from time to time to find out what was happening then switching on the BBC radio commentary.

Just got back from a day at the USO.  Wawrinka vs Evans was so exciting.  I felt sorry for Evans; he was playing so well, holding his own against Stan for four sets, got to the match point in the TB, and yet it was not enough.  He faded in the fifth.

I watched him against Zverev on TV and now against Stan live, and he can play so well.  I do not understand why he should be ranked as low as he is.  He did not look out of place against those two at all, and one did not have a feeling he was playing above himself.  Too bad he ran out of gas in the end.

I can also see why he would be playing doubles with Kyrgios.

Players from thirteen different countries through to the round of 16.  Only perennial tennis powerhouses France (3) and UK (2) have multiple players left.  It really could have been three for UK too....

Henman Bill wrote:Rafa's absolutely cruised along so far, btw.

I do not know what to think of Rafa's game.  I saw bits and pieces of his matches.  On one hand, as you say, he has been cruising.  On the other hand, he did not look all that convincing to me.  He dropped the serve quite a few times, sometimes in semi-critical moments, his shots do not always have much depth, still makes more UEs than one would "normally" expect of him.

I cannot tell if it is that his form is so-so, or whether he is just playing within himself, ready to turn it up as needed.  After all, as you said, what he has produced so far was easily enough for three straightforward wins.  He also has a pretty good draw, so he can continue to take advantage of that.  If Rafa is anywhere near his old form, Pouille, as good as is, should not trouble him either.

More late night drama in New York as Nick Kyrgios bows out injured when trailing Ilya Marchenko by two sets to one. The Ukranian now plays Stan Wawrinka in the Fourth Round.

No doubt in my mind that the old Stan Wawrinka would've lost last night. The multiple major winning Stan Wawrinka kept himself in the match against an inspired Daniel Evans, and took his chance when Evans faded.