With the US Open field reduced down to just four men and women, excitement is building on the American front, with four US stars still in the draw.
A steady campaign for both the early favourites, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, has seen the recent Cincinnati champions coast through the first five rounds with utter conviction.
While defending champion Coco Gauff was dumped out by Emma Navarro for the second consecutive time at a major, Novak Djokovic fluffed his lines against Montreal champion Alexei Popyrin.
A thrilling and sometimes controversial US Open has seen a spectrum of shocks, with dodgy umpire decisions, early upsets, and American dominance.
With former US Open finalist Ons Jabeur ruled out, along with the injured 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, another high-profile star has suffered a painful exit.
Karolina Pliskova undergoes successful ankle surgery after US Open exit
Two-time major finalist Karolina Pliskova has announced that she recently underwent surgery on the ankle injury she picked up at the US Open.
The 32-year-old retired from her second-round match with fellow two-time major singles finalist Jasmine Paolini.
With the score 15-15 in the opening game, Pliskova rolled her left ankle and lost the third point before tentatively limping off court and receiving treatment.
In what has become one of the most bizarre matches in grand slam history, Pliskova retired and has since undergone surgery to treat the damaged tendons in her ankle.
Posted an update on her instagram account, she said: “Happy to share that I successfully underwent surgery on the tendons in my left ankle.
“I’ll do everything I can to get back on the tennis courts as soon as possible, but health always comes first. A huge thank you to the medical team for their excellent care and to all of you for your support.”
With ankle surgery often ruling players out for several months, Pliskova is likely out of action until next year.
With one Czech called Karolina injured, another one has risen at the US Open
With Pliskova’s status as the world and Czech number one having seen a slightly disappointing descent down the rankings over previous years, a superstar has emerged just in time.
Karolina Muchova, the 2023 French Open finalist, glides around the court with an unfamiliar flow for the WTA tour.
A clinical serve-and-volleyer, Muchova has enjoyed quite the comeback journey in New York.
After injury to her wrist, the semi-finalist has overcome a 10-month absence to return in glorious style and wow the vibrant US crowd with her Roger Federer-esque backhand and net game.
With a latest straight sets win over Beatriz Haddad Maia, the former world number eight is making a charge for the title and faces America’s Jessica Pegula next.
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