US Open: Andrei Rublev has to be treated after a fit of rage – and is eliminated; Coco Gauff fails and cries

Gauff cries after bitter end
Rublev has to be treated after a fit of rage – and is thrown out

02.09.2024, 07:56

Andrei Rublev is known for his outbursts. In the round of 16 at the US Open, he hits his hand with his racket and is treated. In the end, he fails. The same applies to US hope and crowd favorite Coco Gauff, who is struggling with unusual problems.

After a fit of rage against himself, world number six Andrey Rublev was eliminated from the US Open in the round of 16. The 26-year-old Russian lost to Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 3:6, 6:7 (3:7), 6:1, 6:3, 3:6 and missed his fifth quarter-final appearance at the tennis Grand Slam in New York.

At 1:3 in the first set, Rublev was annoyed when he had beaten a ball into the net. He then angrily hit his shoe with his racket and then hit his left hand six times with the strings. A short time later, Rublev’s hand was treated with ointment during a break. This did not seem to hinder him. After losing two sets, he fought his way back into the game, but had to admit defeat in the last set.

Rublev has reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament ten times in his career, but has never reached the semifinals. He is known for his tantrums. He was disqualified from the ATP tournament in Dubai this season because he shouted at a line judge.

Tiafoe knocks out the Djokovic conqueror

Alexei Popyrin’s fairytale is also over: Frances Tiafoe has stopped Novak Djokovic’s conqueror and reached the quarterfinals. The American beat the Australian 6:4, 7:6 (7:3), 2:6, 6:3 and is thus among the best eight at the Grand Slam tournament in New York for the third time.

Tiafoe will now face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. “When I was a child and hit balls against a wall, I dreamed of playing on this court,” enthused the 26-year-old during the winner’s interview in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis arena in the world. The 25-year-old Popyrin lost the second set against Tiafoe despite leading 5-3 and 40-0 on his own serve, and was unable to turn things around even after winning the third set.

“Gave everything mentally and emotionally”

Defending champion Coco Gauff also failed in the round of 16. The 20-year-old lost to her fellow American Emma Navarro 3:6, 6:4, 3:6 after a largely weak performance and had to give up her dream of another home victory. She left the court in tears. “I fought really hard today. Overall, I played well for the most part. I just didn’t worry about my serve,” said Gauff, who made a total of 19 double faults: “I gave it my all mentally and emotionally.”

World number three Gauff won her first major title last year in Flushing Meadows, but this year she was unable to reach her top level. She had already lost to Navarro in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve been knocked out in the first round here for the last two years. This is my hometown,” said world number 12 Navarro, who will now face Spaniard Paula Badosa: “Coco is a great player. She will come back and win this thing again.”