Day 4: Some big surprises at the US Open

Day 4 at the US Open did not go according to plan. Top seeds weren't able to back up fan expectations and the results, in many cases, surprised US Open observers. Regardless, Florida players, for the most part, moved on in the tournament. But it was a surprising day across the board.

One showdown was tough for fans in the Sunshine State. The match-up pitted Jessica Pegula against Sofia Kenin. Pegula lives in Boca Raton and Kenin grew up in Pembroke Pines. In the end, Pegula registered a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Kenin and continued to look solid as her journey continues in New York.

Another player living in Boca Raton, Tommy Paul, advanced after a win against Aussie Max Purcell where he won 7-5, 6-0, 1-0 (ret.) after the Australian retired due to an injury. “Obviously I wanted to finish, I was playing really well,” Paul remarked post-match.

Photo credit: US Open Tennis Championships.

Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't so positive for Sarasota's Sebastian Korda. Czech Tomas Machac took down the No. 16 seed with a 6-4,6-2,6-4 win. "You never know what can happen, you just have to fight and believe,” said Machac after the match.

Much-loved Naomi Osaka grew up playing on public courts in Pembroke Pines. But the two-time US Open champion from Florida got taken down 6-3, 7-6(5) by Czech star Karolina Muchova.

Turning our attention to other players outside of Florida, it's worth examining some of the more surprising upsets. 

Photo credit: US Open Tennis Championships.

Dutchman Botic van De Zandschulp scored a massive win against Carlos Alcaraz in a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 stunner. "Today I was playing against the opponent, and I was playing against myself in my mind," Alcaraz said. The third-seed, and US Open champ (back in 2022), couldn't extract his full talent last night. "I couldn't increase my level," stated the Spaniard.

Qualifier Gabriel Diallo from Canada, defeated the No. 24 seed Arthur Fils from France, in a tight four-setter, 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4. The 6-foot-8 Diallo was playing in only his second major main draw.

In another shocker, American Ashlyn Krueger overtook teen queen Mirra Andreeva, 6-1, 6-4. “To be in the third round is a dream,” Krueger said. And another surprise: No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina withdrew moving French qualifier Jessika Ponchet into Round 3.

And the US Open crowd was in awe when unseeded Jordan Thompson from Australia took out No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz from Poland in a commanding three-set victory 7-6, 6-1, 7-5. Keep an eye on the 30-year-old Australian — he could turn out to be dangerous this year.

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Written by Florida Tennis Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Top photo: US Open Tennis Championships.