Pliskova, Federer ease into last sixteen
Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova, chasing her first Grand Slam title, advanced to the fourth round of the US Open yesterday by outlasting Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
Pliskova, the 2016 US Open runner-up who could finish the fortnight as world number one, booked a spot in the last 16 against either British 16th seed Johanna Konta or China’s 33rd-seeded Zhang Shuai.
After taking the first set in 26 minutes, Pliskova broke to open the second. Jabeur, ranked 62nd, had her right knee retaped and battled back to break Pliskova three times in the second set, the last on a forehand winner to force a third set.
Pliskova broke to start the third set and seized another in the fifth game on an errant Jabeur forehand before advancing on a backhand winner after two hours and eight minutes.
In the men’s section, five-time champion Roger Federer raced into the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 rout of 58th-ranked Briton Dan Evans in just 80 minutes.
Third seed Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, is looking for a first Flushing Meadows title since 2008. He will meet Belgian 15th seed David Goffin or Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain for a spot in the quarter-finals.
The Swiss great was brimming with confidence from the start, taking advantage of the speedy hardcourts under the open roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on a warm and sunny day.
Federer, who is seeking his sixth U.S. Open title, rifled 48 winners and 10 aces to see off the overmatched Evans, who is now 0-3 lifetime against the 38-year-old.
Federer has had limited court time since his epic defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon final in July but appeared to shake off any remaining rust with the win.
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