Key occasions
Alcaraz wins the primary set 6-4
An excellent backhand winner down the road from Lehecka on the opening level offers Alcaraz one thing to consider. However Alcaraz is immoveable on the following. Nicely, truly, he’s shifting in all places as he chases down the drop shot and is then despatched scampering to the opposite aspect of the court docket, however he refuses to relinquish the purpose and one way or the other finds a strategy to win it. 15-all, which turns into 30-15. And 40-15, two set factors. Lehecka hits a viciously angled winner off Alcaraz’s drop on the primary … and Alcaraz clunks a forehand into the online on the second! However quickly there’s a 3rd, and Alcaraz isn’t feeling so charitable this time.
First set: Lehecka 4-5 Alcaraz* (*denotes subsequent server)
15-0, 30-0. After which 40-0, courtesy of maybe Lehecka’s shot of the set, a profitable cross-court forehand on the run. He’s attempting to out-Alcaraz Alcaraz with that strike for the showreel. Speaking of showreels, Alcaraz’s one from the fourth spherical is particularly wizardly and great, even by his requirements, should you haven’t but seen it. Anyway … Lehecka holds to fifteen as soon as extra. So Alcaraz will serve for the set.
First set: Lehecka* 3-5 Alcaraz (*denotes subsequent server)
As if show my phrases (thanks Jiri), Lehecka strikes to 15-30 on Alcaraz’s serve. He then will get one other likelihood at 30-all and on a second serve, however he snatches at a backhand. That was a missed alternative. And Alcaraz makes him pay with a stinging serve that the Czech can’t get again into play.
First set: Lehecka 3-4 Alcaraz* (*denotes subsequent server)
One other maintain to fifteen for Lehecka; he appears to be like way more settled and skips again to his chair. Regardless of Alcaraz main their head-to-head, Lehecka has truly overwhelmed the Spaniard earlier than, in Doha this yr, which was the one time they’ve confronted one another on a tough court docket. Alcaraz mentioned after that match he “truthfully didn’t know” what he may have executed higher, such was Lehecka’s stage. We haven’t seen that up to now in the present day … however there’s the sense now that Lehecka is getting nearer to discovering a stage that may maybe bother Alcaraz.
Thanks Daniel. So Alcaraz, his pink-purple daytime quantity and his buzzcut – which now doesn’t look almost so extreme – step as much as serve. There’s the sensation of somewhat extra resistance from Lehecka now, however at 15-all, after an extended rally, Alcaraz pulls off the one-two punch with breathtaking energy and precision. He then thumps one other winner for 40-15. And an unreturned serve for sport. That is the primary time in his profession that he’s reached the quarter-finals of a slam with out dropping a set, and you’ll see why; he’s oozing confidence on the market.
*Lehecka 2-3 Alcaraz At change of ends, Laura Robson suggested that in Alcaraz’s field, Juan Carlos Ferrero was guffawing throughout that final sport; his crew appear to have such an excellent chuckle. However that is higher from Lehecka, who secures a maintain to fifteen, and that’s it from me for in the present day; right here’s Katy Murrells to croon you thru the remainder of this newest exhibition of distinctive genius.
Lehecka 1-3 Alcaraz* It nearly looks like Alcaraz is mucking about having determined he’s impregnable, prolonging a degree with drops and volleys till Lehecka lobs lengthy. And from there, he rushes by a love maintain, sealing it with an ace down the T; he’ll have seen Sinner waste Bublik final night, and up to now, that is his interpretation of the identical. Actual discuss: it feels just like the pair of them at the moment are too good for everybody however the different.
*Lehecka 1-2 Alcaraz Alcaraz makes 0-15, however Lehecka fights again nicely solely to web a half-volley, caught coming in; Stefan Edberg, he’s not. Gosh, and one other double means a degree for a double break, Alcaraz then flinging himself right into a forehand; Leheka does nicely to ship it again, the same effort then despatched extensive for deuce. From there, the Czech closes out his maintain, on the board at 1-2.
Lehecka 0-2 Alcaraz* A love consolidation for Alcaraz, the forehand that seals it lasered down the road when backpeddling out of court docket. Even the person himself is impressed with that one.
*Lehecka 0-1 Alcaraz At 15-0, a double, then a netted backhand and Lehacka is instantly below strain. And although he makes 30-all, Alcaraz ups tempo on the forehand with little warning, zetzing down the road earlier than placing away a volley for break level. Lehecka, although, responds nicely, an enormous forehand to the nook making deuce … just for a second double to donate benefit. Alcaraz then hits the road with a return, lays a drop, and the riposte goes into the online. For these of us hoping to see a contest, that was not an excellent signal.
Alcaraz elected to obtain, so Lehecka will get us going.
Whoops, I forgot to do not forget that Alcaraz additionally performed Bellucci, however on this competitors, gubbing him 1, 0 and three. Lehecka has work to do.
Out come our gamers, each of them sounding assured in pre-match interview. Lehecka will imagine he can win however received’t know he can win; he should begin nicely. I’m positive he’ll have a plan for beating Alcaraz, however there’s maybe nobody more durable to arrange for as a result of nobody performs tennis with such creativeness and improvisation.
One thing that’s been bothering me: who does Jiri Lehecka seem like? I’m happy to say I’ve received it.
For these of you unfamiliar with 50s soccer, above is David Pegg, outside-left within the Busby Babes aspect who was sadly killed within the Munich air crash. As a child, I assumed his identify was David Peggleso, on account of this Spinners’ tune.
Lehecka would possibly simply’ve hit a brand new stage over the previous few months, taking part in himself again into kind in the course of the grass-court swing. It’s true that at Wimbledon, he misplaced in three to Bellucci, however it took a really fantastic efficiency to beat him and on laborious, his energy may be much more efficient. Downside he has, after all, is that Alcaraz is flying.
Subsequent on Ashe: Jiri Lehecka (20) v Carlos Alcaraz (2).
It’s a disgrace they finish the interview there – I’d have liked to listen to why Pegula felt that means and the way she modified her sense of self. She performed fairly nicely in the present day, however was helped by an opponent who couldn’t get going; whether or not it’s Sabalenka or Vondrousova subsequent, she may be positive of a sterner check within the semis.
Pegula thinks she’s been taking part in actually strong and beginning nicely; however she is aware of Krejcikova can come again, so she’s joyful to be executed. She feels actually snug taking part in huge matches in entrance of the craziest crowd on the most effective court docket on the planet. Ten years in the past she didn’t suppose she could possibly be good at this, however now she guesses she is; I’ll say
Jessica Pegula (4) beats Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 6-3
Pegula 6-3 6-3 Krejcikova* Once more, the solar causes points for Krejcikova, however at 0-15, a forehand winner ranges us up. An ace down the center follows, however Pegula then takes benefit of a brief method, a forehand winner – once more, hit cross – passing her opponent coming in. Gosh, and at 30-all, a double donates match level and Krejcikova doesn’t look prepared to save lots of one by no means thoughts the eight she managed final day trip. Oh, and a primary serve into the online ups the strain … then an extended forehand means Pegula is within the final 4 having not misplaced a set!
*Pegula 6-3 5-3 Krejcikova Pegula would possibly nicely be feeling it right here, damaged in her final service sport. However a fantastic inside-out backhand to the nook permits her to return in and thwack one other that Krejcikova can’t get again. Krejcikova, although, is beginning to join on return, one other deep one ok for 15-all; Pegula responds with a telling serve down the T, then one other deep backhand which makes 40-15. A return into the online follows, and two first serves when wanted them takes the American to inside a sport of the final 4.
Pegula 6-3 4-3 Krejcikova* Between video games, we see that Krejcikova is taking part in from additional again than beforehand within the match, maybe trying to purchase time as Pegula hits early and flat. However that additionally means the ball is a bit decrease at point-of-contact, whereas if she steps in, she’s a greater likelihood of whacking from down on it from on prime. That mentioned, as an error offers away 30-all, my sense stays the key problem will not be one in every of ways however of high quality: Krejcikova is taking part in like a drain. On deuce, although, an honest second serve permits a forehand winner down the road, and one other cross-court takes her to inside a sport of second-set parity.
*Pegula 6-3 4-2 Krejcikova We’ve all been there, no matter our job: typically, what’s normally there simply isn’t, or we’re flat when normally we’d be bouncing. Krejcikova is perhaps done-in from the Townsend match, however my guess is she’s simply having a nasty day, however at 40-15 she flukes a winner, a forehand slice dropping simply over the online, and an honest return then makes deuce. She’s going for it now, one other good return serving to earn benefit, then Pegula nets and that was far more proactive from Krejcikova, who’s been way more cautious than I anticipated.
Pegula 6-3 4-1 Krejcikova* Up 15-30, Pegula lands a return on to the paint, continues hitting first rate lengths, and Krejcikova nets; at 15-40, these two break factors really feel like match factors. A giant serve saves the primary, then Pegula is marginally extensive with an inside-out forehand; that’s a serious oversight as a result of she didn’t have to go near the road to land the winner. Regardless of: one other error permits benefit, a forehand flies lengthy, and that’s the double break in set two. Pegula is almost there and I’m afraid that is whole no-show from Krejcikova.
*Pegula 6-3 3-1 Krejcikova That is actually sharp from Pegula, coming in to volley shoulder-height for 30-0. A serve out extensive is then adopted by a clean-up forehand winner – perhaps each participant ought to attempt an escape room and some bevvies if that is the outcome; perhaps each GBGer ought to too – however from nowhere, Krejcikova wins three straight factors for deuce. Massive check developing for Pegula, however simply because the rally develops, a hooked forehand lands extensive and affords her benefit … just for a double to revive deuce. Out of the blue, this sport looks like a biggun, all of the extra so when an additional double, tentative somewhat than aggressive like the primary, donates benefit. Krejcikova, although, affords an ethereal drop that’s simply run down and punished, and from there, additional errors enable Pegula the maintain. If the Czech doesn’t enhance quickly, she’ll be again within the locker room with solely regrets for firm.
Pegula 6-3 2-1 Krejcikova* I anticipated this match to be shut as a result of I assumed one factor was sure: each gamers would flip up. Up to now, although, this hasn’t occurred, however at 40-0, Krejcikova is taking part in a greater sport whereas Martina notes that she’s one in every of 4 Czechs left within the singles attracts, explaining that it’s due to how tennis is taught there. Perhaps so, however she’s quickly below it once more, a winner and an error making 40-30, earlier than Krejcikova goes nook to nook, a forehand winner getting her on the board in set two.
*Pegula 6-3 2-0 Krejcikova If Pegula consolidates right here, she’ll really feel near the end line, shaking her toes at 30-15, to maintain herself shifting; she is aware of how essential these subsequent factors are. And when Krejcikova fails to mete out remedy to a second serve that hardly clambers over the online, an error follows subsequent shot, then a backhand drops lengthy and I don’t suppose she will play a lot worse than this.
Pegula 6-3 1-0 Krejcikova* Krejcikova shall be involved: she performed exceptionally poorly in that set, having to struggle by deuce in her two holds then, when she broke, she instantly surrendered her acquire, and at the beginning of set two, successive doubles imply she’s down 0-40. Massive bother and massive strain, all of the extra so when her first serve flies lengthy; to verify there’s no hat-trick, she takes much more energy off and Pegula doesn’t want asking twice, thumping a backhand winner down the road, securing a break to like.
Jessica Pegula takes the primary set in opposition to barbora Krejcikova 6-3
*Pegula 6-3 Krejcikova At 0-15, Krejcikova carelessly wafts lengthy then, after netting a forehand slice, Pegula hits a greater ball for 30-all. Two factors away from the set, she serves out extensive then races in and finds a terrific angle, chopping the court docket to interrupt the sideline, and when Krejcikova goes lengthy, that’s sufficient for the set, Pegula by far the higher participant in it.
Pegula 5-3 Krejcikova* Down 0-15, Krejcikova swings an ace down the T, as Martina rhapsodises the lady who taught her every thing, the late Jana Novotna. What a day it was when she lastly received Wimbledon; I can’t think about anybody aside from Nathalie Tauziat was upset to see that occur. Anyroad up, again to our match and Pegula makes 30-40, is handed one other second serve – she’s getting proper after these – and when she whacks again flat, Krejcikova can solely web. All that onerous work to get again into the set, and now she should break once more to keep away from dropping it.
*Pegula 4-3 Krejcikova A double arms Krejcikova 15-30, then a forehand on to the road earns two break-back factors; she’s almost again in a set she would possibly simply have misplaced closely. However she’s began to face a bit nearer to the road within the final couple of video games, dashing Pegula, who once more put below strain, nets for 4-3, and the way she’ll be regretting her failure to transform break level in every of her final two returning video games.
Pegula 4-2 Krejcikova* Pegula doesn’t go deep sufficient together with her method, so she’s handed coming in for 30-15, however her want get to web exhibits the aggressive intent usually lacking from right here sport. And although, at 30-all, she dumps a backhand, a poor body-serve arrives proper into the slot, a forehand cross-court breaking the sideline for a winner and one other deuce. A double follows, however Krejcikova once more saves herself from falling a double-break behind, then rapidly secures her maintain with a serve-volley one-two.
*Pegula 4-1 Krejcikova Down 15-30, Pegula once more depends on her forehand cross, then a high-kicking ace down the T earns sport level. And this time, as they go backhand to backhand, Krejcikova nets, and she or he wants to enhance rapidly, else this set shall be gone together with her barely collaborating in it.
Pegula 3-1 Krejcikova* Just a little higher from Krejcikova, who makes 30-15 when Pegula slices into the online and, in comms, Martina bemoans the dearth of basic matches up to now this match. I actually loved Muchova v Kostyuk yesterday, for what that’s price; meantime, Pegula opens the court docket with one other forehand, then hits a backhand into the area she created for 40-30, rapidly making deuce thereafter. She’s began like she means it, however when she fails to transform on benefit, Krejcikova closes out, a backhand winner – her first of the match – sealing the deal.
*Pegula 3-0 Krejcikova Krejcikova needed to save eight match factors to beat Townsend in spherical 4 and maybe that’s nonetheless in her legs, or her thoughts; she’s not received going right here in any respect. However she does get to 40-30 solely to permit a weak second serve to flee unpunished; one other forehand winner secures the consolidation.
Pegula 2-0 Krejcikova* Very good from Pegula, ready as each gamers hit down the center earlier than clouting one other winner cross-court. Oh, and she or he goes once more subsequent level; we’ll want to attend and see, however I feel she fancies herself forehand to forehand, and what on earth?! Seeking to dispatch a easy putaway, Krejcikova misses every thing – the solar should’ve been an element, however she’s sporting a visor and, maybe discombobulated, a double arms over the break to like.
*Pegula 1-0 Krejcikova (*denotes server) Stable from Pegula to open, making 30-15, Krejcikova then slaps a return lengthy earlier than dictating the following level, concentrating on the forehand then coming in to place a volley into the other nook. She’s trying to assault right here, taking the ball early and coming into the online.
Pegula to serve, prepared … play.
By the way in which, how good was Naomi Osaka yesterday? I can’t lie, after watching her in opposition to Hailey Baptiste, I had a quiet one with my native turf accountant, however she’s received loads of work to do earlier than I’m taking us all to the discotheque. We’ll discuss extra about it tomorrow, however Karolina Muchova poses a really completely different check to Coco Gauff, and if she wins that one, it’s Amanda Anisimova or Iga Świątek subsequent. If she takes the title once more, she’ll have earned it.
Krejcikova, in the meantime, has higher energy and selection – the place Pegula hits flat, she likes to range spins, hitting with prime and slice, the latter even on forehand, and naturally she’s the larger server. We may be sure she’ll come on to court docket with a plan, whereas I ponder if Pegula would possibly simply do what she at all times does and hope she does it nicely sufficient to win.
The opposite factor, after all, is health. Pegula has had knee grief and neck aggro, taking break day to recuperate, however she’s in nick now; we mentioned earlier that she lacks energy, however nobody within the competitors has damaged greater than she.
Pegula was correctly sad together with her kind after her first hit – she mentioned she hit with Sabalenka and took a hiding. However then she did an escape rook together with her mates, had a few drinks, and reminded herself to loosen up, then performed actually properly having an excellent chuckle within the blended with Jack Draper. She’s feeling fairly first rate now.
Preamble
Sure sure y’all and welcome to the US Open 2025 – day 10!
We’re at that time, aren’t we? Pleasure rising as competitors escalates whereas, in the back of our minds, that nagging sense of loss as a result of we’re nearing the tip. However let’s lozz that for now as a result of awaiting us in the present day are a pair of probably terrific matches.
In a way, Jess Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova are opposites. Pegula, seeded 4 right here, had been a member of the numerical elite for fairly a while, with 9 profession titles to her identify. However on the slams she tends to bump up in opposition to the restrictions of her personal athleticism, doing no higher than the final eight other than on this match final yr, when she made the ultimate and stored it tight for bit, however was finally outclassed by Aryna Sabalenka.
What is going to grate is that within the time she’s been good, all method of participant ostensibly much less so – and never simply these naturally sooner and stronger – have received majors. Take Barbora Krejcikova, for instance. Beforehand famend as a doubles specialist, she’s received each Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, relying not otherworldly energy, somewhat an all-court sport supported by the flexibility, mentality and really feel to provide her greatest when it actually issues.
Up to now, this has largely been past Pegula who, at 31, is operating out of time. But when she hits her prime stage or near it, she’ll anticipate to win right here and rightly so.
Following them on to court docket are Jiri Lehecka and Carlos Alcaraz, whose match within the last of Queen’s was carefully contested – till it received shut, whereupon all of the sudden it wasn’t. In the end, there was a way all through that the world no 2 would do no matter ended up being essential to win, which intensifies over the longer distance.
Nevertheless if Lehecka serves nicely, taking any set off him is tough – at Queen’s, the primary went to 7-5 and he took the second 7-6. Although he’ll should play the match of his life to make this a severe contest, he’s already overwhelmed Alcaraz on laborious this season and, at 23, will really feel able to take the following step. We will quickly see.
Play: 11.30am native, 4.30pm BST
