US OPEN: Putintseva survives, Asian challenge shrinks on Day 4 as Rybakina withdraws
NEW YORK, AUGUST 29: Kazakshtan’s Yulia Putintseva kept the Asian flag flying at the US Open by progressing to the women’s singles third round but the continent’s challenge shrunk considerably on day four at the last Major of the season with Japanese star Naomi Osaka and formidable Elena Rybakina making second round exits on Thursday.
Seeded 30th, Putintseva won the all-Asian battle against China’s world number 40 Xinyu Wang 6-1 7-6(4) in the second round. She is now only the second Asian left in the women’s singles along with Yafan Wang.
The biggest disappointment came when world number four Kzakah Rybakina, who was expected to go deep in the draw, withdrew from her second round contest against French qualifier Jessika Ponchet due to fitness concerns.
“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries…I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong,” Rybakina said in a statement without giving details of the injury.
“Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.”
Osaka, who turned heads with her unique outfit and a powerful performance in the opening round, was forced out of the Major following a straight set defeat against Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, ranked 52 in the world.
Osaka, who is making a comeback to big-level tennis, went down fighting 3-6 6-7(5) in one hour and 35 minutes.
Also making an exit from the women’s singles was Ena Shibahara (JPN), who was pummeled 0-6 1-6 by top seed Iga Swiatek in just 65 minutes.
In the women’s doubles also Asian players endured a tough day.
The pair of Moyuka Uchijima (JPN) and Yue Yuan (CHN) lost the opening round 5-7 6-7 (0) to Asia Muhammad and Heather Watson.
Another Japanese-Chinese combo of Miyu Kato and Yafan Wang made first round exit following a 3-6 2-6 defeat against sixth seeded team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.
China’s Shuai Zhang and her French partner Kristina Mladenovic lost 2-6 3-6 to second seed combo of Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) and Elise Martin (BEL).
China’s Xiyu Wang and New Zealand’s Lulu Sun also failed to clear the first hurdle, losing 4-6 3-6 to Tereza Maihlikova Olivia Nicholls.
Also losing the first round was 16th seeds Ena Shibihara (JPN) and Aldila Sutjiadi (INA). They suffered a 4-6 3-6 defeat against Tatjana Maria and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina though combined with Irina Khromacheva to move to the second rond with a 7-6(6) 5-7 6-2 win over American team of Tyra Caterina Grant and Iva Jovic.
In the men’s doubles, India’s Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, the Australian Open champions, breezed into the second round with a 6-3 7-5 win over the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Sander Arends.
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