By Dwight Casimere
Photo: ESPN
The teen-aged 12th seed Coco Gauff faces WTZ No. 36 Shuai Zhang in this afternoon’s final 16 round at the US Open in Flushing Meadows.
Gauff comes into the contest with a significant advantage having beaten the Chinese player in this season Miami Open. Coco secured her first ever ‘Round of 16’ spot after pounding fellow American Madison Keys 6-3,6-3 in the third round.
Zhang is a first timer in US Open Round of 16
Zhang is a newbie to the Sweet Sixteen dance. She sent Anna Karolina Schmeidlova to the showers to book her ticket to the third round, then handily defeated Rebecca Marino 6-2,6-4 to reach the final 16 for the first time in her career.
Tiafoe is first African American man and first American man to reach the US Open Round of 16
Frances Tiafoe is the first American man to make the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for three straight years in a long time. The last was Mardy Fish from 2020 to 2012. Lets hope the third time is a charm. Tiafoe brushed past 14th-seed Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 6-4 to win a spot in the fourth round.
In speaking of his impending opponent, Rafael Nadal told ESPN’s Chris McKendry, “He’s a really fast player. I have to get ready at practice. I’ll play my best game and see what happens. I always play with a lot of passion and a lot of love for the game. I’m hoping that will help me to move along in the next match.”
Nadal has been troubled with a pulled adnominal muscle and, more recently, a wrist injury. “I’m still able to practice and give it my best,”
he assured his interviewer.
After drawing blood from his racket having bounced it off the court during his victory over Fabio Fognini in the second round, Rafa seemed unfazed by the blood-drawing accident. His defeat of Richard Gasquet 6-0,6-1,7-5 set up the battle royal between he and Tiafoe, whom he has twice defeated.
This could be the D.C. native’s biggest win of the year. It all happens Monday on ESPN. Check USOpen.com for time of match.