US Open Day 5: Eala set for Jovic showdown as Swiatek continues dominant form

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1:00Thank you. Hello ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tennis weekly with Joel, Kim and Chris. On today's US Open Day 5 catch up. The all-edge fjord tech is through. For it, stops two games on route around three. And Coco Gough gets revenge on the dozer in the night session. Chris, today is the fourth of September. And we are here to catch up on the US Open Day 5 here at tennis weekly HQ. I think we're well and truly in the midst of the tournament now. The round two matches have been completed. And we are on our way. Not quite the second week yet, but it will be on us before we know it. And yeah, welcome Chris. I'm going to ask how are you doing, but I feel like you are feeling somewhat,

2:04not wanting to put words in your mouth, but a little apologetic perhaps. You've got some wrongs to write, I think. I've got as a big note to start off with for today's episode. It's slightly remorseful, maybe. I did come down a bit too hard on Alchrist's celebration. I've been watching it now from all angles, the old bow and arrow. And I actually called it quite unoriginal. I think it's very original. I'm actually fully on board now. I've done a 180. I have been known to do that on the podcast, came with my predictions as well. I've now gone all in on Alchrist and Mensik going to the final, having completely gone it wrong. So I pivoted in my opinion, but the reason why I pivoted, Kim, is because I've suddenly just thought, could it have come from the fact that he had a wrist injury and Archer's wear a wrist brace? You know, that thing they have on their arms and maybe, that's where it came from. And it really is kind of like a nod to the fact that

3:08what is a weakness of his is being used as a strength. So I quite like that, Kim, you know? It's reframing his recent experience, his struggles with the wrist. So into something positive and inspiring. Or just a new hobby, he's taken up. Who knows? Maybe he'll become an Archer after the year. Your mic is for lying, Kim. I know, I might just fell over anyone watching online. We are available on YouTube if you'd like to watch Kim's likes. For what? For lie off the desk in front of her. My unstable microphone. Unstable like my opinions, Kim. I did have a go at Archer a couple of years ago and it's pretty difficult. I was... Didn't hit the target. No bulls eyes. No bulls eyes. I did get on the board. You know, I didn't sort of fly off into the distance. But I was quite scared to release the arrow. I thought it was going to hurt me. So... He just didn't let go. I was just really reluctant. I was just... Well, maybe you should stick to the air bow and arrow.

4:08Maybe that's a much safer option for you. I think so. And I mean, I've got an apology of my own to make, actually. Chris, as well as... This hope is starting the podcast. I know. We're just... We're festing up, aren't we? It's like a confessional. I wanted to apologise about kind of slightly criticizing Sabalinka's outfit, you know, the... Slightly criticizing. You said you'd look like a sea item. I think that's just purely due to the orange element of it. Because last night, or not last night, two nights ago, in the night session, she was wearing the all black version. Say the black sports brand pants and the black net over the top. So less boy, more beach cover-up kind of vibes, which I much prefer. So I think... You are going on a holiday after the USA became... Are you thinking of purchasing? I think we said it was $120. You do need something to wear underneath. I could wear... I could purchase the net dress and just wear it over my bikini. So that would be an option.

5:09Let's rather an expensive cover-up. It is also dependent where you're going. You could probably just find a fishing net there. A good fashion, something out of it. I don't know how much it would actually cover up either. But it's not... It's not the best apology we've ever made, but what we'll say, it is much better in black. I think we're both agreed for that. Yes. But in terms of colour of clothing, as well, we have learnt that Coloss Alchora is going to be wearing the brown kit throughout the tournament. But that's the Travis Scott endorsed range of Nike kit. So I know you're not very happy about that, but I know. I was down with the brown. I was down with the brown. That was my mission. Even Joel was a purple fan. So I believe that Travis Scott's team contacted Alchorazan and said, this is going rather well. Probably we didn't know that tennis was this bigger thing. Could you keep wearing it? And Alchorazan said, yes. So we're brown to the end, the bitter end, or the brown end of the tournament. And so that's... He's got friends in high places.

6:09He's got a keep and sweet, I suppose. Yeah, well, he's a big deal. He's a big side. He doesn't know him that well. Not that familiar with him. No, I sure have to listen to some of his tunes. You thought a cactus Jack was a cocktail, didn't you? I just thought was a tough cactus. Maybe I have no idea what it is. But it's his record label or something or other. I have since learned. But let's move away from our fashion opener. And we'll look at the tennis that occurred because we had in the day session of day five, we had both Alex Eala and Ega Shfiantek easing through in their matches. Shfiantek over Podarostka and Eala over Olnikovar. Straights there, it's pretty comfortable for both of them. Impressed with both of their performances, Chris? Yeah, I was actually. I think, you know, there's a lot of hype about Eala. You can't escape it. And I actually think it's so strange now watching this, knowing that she hadn't really gone deep

7:10at a major before Wimbledon, because now she looks like such a seasoned competitor. So I think the maturity she's bringing to her matches is actually the thing that's suppressing me the most is that this isn't what she's always been doing, who's only just started winning like multiple matches at Slams at Wimbledon. And now it feels so natural. You know, she's filling out, you know, Louis Armstrong court, you know, match after match. And it just feels right. So I'm very impressed with that. I think the service, Joel, said before, that is improving. And I think the same for Ega, I think she's business as usual. I think these are two very, very professional individuals who are really dialed in. I loved both of these matches. I really think it was, yeah, I mean, it was one of the most competent performances of both of them. It wasn't an unforeseen era first. We have seen a few of those. And yeah, they're just getting better with each match. Well, there will be harder tests to come. So it's, you want to make sure you're smoothly and efficiently coming through the draw. And that's what they've done. So far handling it all with ease. So we'll have to see how they carry on.

8:12Who do you think came out of interest is the most impressive female performer we've seen so far? Do you think it's one of these two? I think Shfi'on Tech, for me, has the edge still. And I would still put Shfi'on Tech above Ega, I'll just obviously, because she's that much more experienced. I still think Ega has a, as a, not a long way to go, but I, you know, she's still unproven at this level. So I'd still go for Shfi'on Tech purely because of that. Well, the schedulers did as well, Kim, didn't they? Because they put, Eala was put on Louis Armstrong in grandstand for Ega. John and I did talk about this. Was that the right decision, do you think? Or would you've done the other way around, based on your comments? Well, I think at this stage of the day, you know, second round, you've kind of got to have matches on, not, you can't always be on like the top court, can you? You've got to shift around a bit. Eala clearly is getting the massive kind of Philippine strong audience and not just Filipinos, but like a lot of onlookers who just kind of want to grab a bit of this new, new exciting prospect.

9:16Um, I don't think anyone, like, Shfi'on Tech's not going to be phased by the fact she went off to grandstand. It's, they're not, they weren't, you know, top-filling matches in the sense of it being a competitive matchup. So I think it's, it's not that understandable. It's, it's pretty, pretty decent. It's a good size call. I remember, Holgeruna used to always draw a map as to how to find the courts he was on. I was like, you point. That it wasn't like the, the best court. Um, I don't think Ega needed a map, draw out for her to find grandson. I think it's pretty obvious, isn't it? At least they're not by the, the weed smell drifting over from that court that gets that. So, you know, to breathe a sigh of relief, that you know, I have to deal with that. But, um, we did have some more competitive matches in the women singles yesterday in the day session. So, and this is Mover, keys and a Saka, all one through, but were made to work for it, all going to three sets with their respective opponents. I mean, let's start with Naomi Saka

10:16because she, she needs to watch this because she keeps kind of getting close to the win and then kind of going off form, doesn't she? And letting her opponent get into the match. And this time it was Sinyakava who we know has had some big wins on her day and it is quite a wily opponent. And she went all the way with Saka taking her to a third and Saka did get the job done, six, one, comfortable in that third set, but she's going to have to watch that because it's not the route to winning a grand slam again, is it for for Naomi? It's not, to think it's Love's potentially Kim. Yeah, I suppose, Love's, it's overthinking it maybe. But I think, you know, she's done really well to regroup, she took herself off for Bathroom Break, gave herself, you know, the words that she needed to do to take that pressure off, but, you know, she knows she can win this tournament, but it has been six years. So it's still that almost like that mental block, maybe. Yeah, and I mean, Sinyakava, I mean, she's a very good doubles player, I mean, she's been well number one in doubles

11:17for so long, so many grand slam titles. And I actually remember I watched her beat Saka, Ronan Garros many, many years ago. I was there with my mother in Paris, watching that one, and we just thought, Oh, nice. Yeah, it was a nice, a nice mother-son trip, but we were a bit disappointed with the Saka there. So she lost that day, she won today, so I think that's better than what happened back in Paris, isn't it? You can't really complain, getting through these rounds is what it's all about. And coming through quite comfortably in that third set, so that's definitely a positive, as you say, the way that she regrouped, but we got a new outfit, in fact, we got two new outfits again. I feel like at some point, we're going to have to ban the word outfit on this podcast, but at the moment, it's week one, it's entertaining us. And this is almost like the silver version of the gold version you like so much at Ronan Garros. Yes, I quite liked her matching outfit today, yesterday, even. I felt that, yeah, I just, I don't know, maybe it works better with this colour palette. It's certainly more appropriate for the daytime.

12:18So yeah, I can work with it. Again, option for your holiday, do you think? You know? Yeah, it could work well over swimwear. Could be very nice. And they're really bringing out all the range, you know, for your sort of late summer holidays, early autumn holidays, the range is quite appropriate. Is that what you think Nike would do with this one? I'm sure for the fans, they're like, oh, let me get all their beachwear while they're watching the tennis. But I mean, Asaka, she has Elise Mertens next. They played recently, Asaka, one that very comfortably, only losing three games. So in theory, she should be able to replicate that, but she's going to need to stay at a high level because, you know, Mertens is a very, again, another widely consistent opponent who sort of always seems to be there or thereabouts and will take advantage if you're not at your best. So yes, but Asaka is through her outfits will live to see further where. We also though, Chris, Madison Keys,

13:19very different story did go to three sets, but wasn't a comfortable last set. It was a, oh, I'll just say five match points and then win in the last set tie break kind of set. And that was against Anna Bondar, who has had, yeah, some, some big wins as well. I remember she knocked Svitteleena out. Was it Wimbledon first round, I think? And, you know, again, possibly quite a dangerous, early opponent in these matches, so you're not quite at the races yet. But he's doing what she needed to do to come through and saving five match points. I did notice Bondar double-forted on the first two match points. So I'm sure Madison Keys was very grateful for that. It does help, doesn't it? You know, having some, some double faults in the big moments, it was the US Open last year, that you just didn't win. It wasn't Wimbledon, was it? Yeah, who was it? Svitteleena lost to Osteria Snegur, I think. She did. I'm mixing my... I'm mixing my...

14:19Yeah, mixing my Svitteleena. Round one exits. Round one exits us. Yes, as one does. Clearly, there's more than we think, because... It's like a pointless answer. It is. I'm not... I think you would get a pointless answer, probably. If you had that question on a popular UK quiz show, but we're actually doing a tennis podcast, Kim, so we probably should go back to that. Oh, yeah. But it was fashion. I thought it was fashion podcast. I shouldn't daily. Yeah. Beachwear of anonymous. That's not what we're doing. But what I was going to say is that, Kees has a habit of this. I think she's just so dangerous, because she can't just hit herself out of problems. It can be so bad for so long, and then she can suddenly switch into gear, and then she is unplayable. And I don't think this happened in this match, but there were moments where she was on, moments where she was off. But I think she could be very dangerous after this, because she probably thought she's out of this tournament. She's on borrowed time now. We've seen lucky losers who then go on

15:20and have big wins like Hoddahl went out to a lucky loser, and it does just make you think, is this the time that Madison Keys will be freed up in the States? So do you think she gets nervous over in the States paying the US Open? I don't think it's ever been her favorite place to play. And maybe this will just relieve her of that. I know what you mean. And we have had Grand Slam champions who have saved match points at some point on the way. So victory, it happens quite often, I feel, or maybe it's just one of those things I'm attuned to, but I think, yeah, she's always got nothing to lose. She could have been out in Round 2. She's not every match thereafter is a bonus. So if she takes that attitude, yeah, the danger level of coming out of Madison Keys could be quite worrying for her opponents. And I mean, it's frustrating, isn't it, for if you all have her opponent, and she suddenly switches it on and sort of comes back, but that's what you expect from her. When she's on, she's really on. And like you said, maybe something's been unlocked in this Bondar match.

16:20And I mean, just to round up as well, another American player, Amanda and Isomova, she was made to go through as well against Lily Tagger, the young Austrian who, yeah, was seemingly being quite outplayed in that first set, but managed to dig herself into the match and take it to three, which is great for a youngster who's sort of trying to make a name for herself, isn't that? It is. And she was one of your predictions of players to watch. Yes, I think that's a good prediction because she put on a good showing. Yes, indeed, a good showing against Amanda. And I think she got a very bright future ahead of her. I think it's also an important win for Amanda. I think she hasn't had the best of form. I think she does need a deep run. She's got final points to defend from last year. So I'm pleased to see Amanda got through that, but again, very promising from Lily Tagger. Yeah, definitely. And from one American to another, actually, our Taylor Fritz, possibly going to be the deepest American going across the two weeks here.

17:21He's been well playing very well and absolutely blitzed his opponent, Baluchie yesterday, love one and one, one hour and 38 minutes on court. I mean, barely breaking a swear, I think, with that scoreline. Quite long, isn't it? Our 38 for how many games was it? Yeah, 20 games. Yeah, do the maths, 20 games. So was he like just dominate, you know, or is this just the fact that he's had a very easy draw with with Darwin Blanche and then Baluchie? Has he been tested yet? He's definitely had a better draw than Felix when we talk about him. I mean, that was a really tough draw. I mean, Fritz does get quite lucky with his draws. I think he's made quarterfinals here without really playing anyone, not losing a set and then kind of gets dumped out the tournament in the quarterfinals. So you can't get too excited. He says he's playing nerve free. He's very confident with how he's playing. So it's good he's feeling good. But again, it's not what matters when you play against, you know, your unseated opponents.

18:22It's the big clashes really. Joel has him going on a very deep run. Joel's been sending us messages. He's playing the best tennis of anyone in the draw. But I think Joel would say that, based on how he feels about Taylor for it's more generally Kim. He loves him. He does love him. He really does. And like I think he could have a deep run here. He's got Sorrugelo the next round. That's a good draw for him, I think. I think will he make a final maybe? I don't think he's going to win the title though. Okay. Well, he's certainly going to need to keep dominating, but against the tricky opponents, as you said, if he wants to get that title. But yeah, so far, so good. You can only play who you're up against. He's got Sorrugelo in the next round who took out Jan Leonard's riff in five sets. So that will certainly be his toughest test to date. You would imagine Fran Sorrugelo said, a nifty player on his day. So we're quite curious to see how Fritz does against him. But yeah, like he said, Felix OJLSE, conversely,

19:25very difficult draw, Karen Hatchnell for your second round. Not the best of draws and Felix did suffer today, losing in four sets out on Louis Armstrong. So yesterday, I keep saying today because it's very early in the morning, as we're doing this. So I'm still on the wrong time zone. But yeah, Hatchnell, we know he has been like top 10, and we know he's reached semis at majors, had a difficult year not being at the races, but here he comes and he pulls this one out of the bag against Felix. What was your take on this one? Well, I mean, Hatchnell really shouldn't be number 15 in the world. I was quite shocked that his ranking has actually dropped that far down because I feel like he said a few moments this year, where he's played some good tennis. And as you say, like he's quite a regular fixture at some of the later ends of tournaments, former masters champion as well in Paris many, many years ago. So tough draw. I don't think any of us were really thinking that Felix was necessarily going to live up to a seeding. He was seeded very highly at Wimbledon as well.

20:26He went out to know about Jocque of Edge. So is this an upset is what I would say? Because when you see this on paper, and I don't think any of us predicted Felix to make a deep run here, it kind of feels like it was always going to be close. Could have gone either way. And I'm not surprised Kim. I'm not sure when they will this upset. Yeah, I agree. I mean, Felix is the fourth seed. If you're kind of new to the sport, you might think, oh, well, he's much higher ranked as fourth seed and he's gone out early. But you know, he's actually the third seed Kim. Oh, third seed. Well, number four. Yes, of course, because Yannick's in his not here. He's not here. So Felix is off home to cap off the day session, though. I mean, obviously the day the heat is hotter in the day. It's been, you can't get very bruised at times. Players have been getting the ice out, trying to keep cool. And actually Adidas has got a new solution to the heat, which we've seen that the likes of Zverev and Ancerandolo wearing.

21:30I don't know. I know this is designed to keep players cool, but from a, I don't want to say the word fashion again, but it's quite an interesting look, isn't it? It's just it's like the ice pack she put in your freezer to then put in a picnic box or something. It is. It will take on the Adidas climacool ice vest. Well, they've given it a cool name, but it doesn't look the most tech based. Apparently it works in three minutes. It can keep you cool for something like an hour. So, so used to 10 to 15 minutes, keep you cool for an hour. So I think Joel should get one of these because he gets very hot when he's doing the podcast. We never hear the end of it during Wimbledon or the French open, especially during a heat wave. But I mean, it does it like something, as you say, like you just pop out of your, your freezer. There is something to go around your neck as well as this sort of vest. I've seen men six been using it. Look over. I mean, I've never seen two players look happier than France or under low and Alexander's

22:31very aware of where they were. They must have stayed that they look fantastic. They do. Maybe someone told them that Travis Scott was behind it, but he is not weak and confirmed. But I did see these and I thought this is quite unusual. I've not seen like a brand actually produce something for their players, like a, a clothing brand or a sponsor in this way. We've seen Sabilemko, you know, bring out the, I think the ice shark or whatever it's called to cool herself down. We've seen the ice packs on the head. That's actually very ineffective for coolning you down the ice pack on the head. It's around the neck around the thighs is the best place to sort of cool you down the inner thighs. So at least they're hitting some of these marks with this, this product. But Kim, I thought, you know what? I think I understand the Nike outfits now for the women's side. They're keeping you cool because there's literally no material. Yeah, so it can't sort of weigh you down. Yeah, they're letting the air flow through. Breathe the ball because it, they're. Rear of all to the extra because you're fully exposed to the elements, but.

23:31Rear the ability. It's a different approach and if you do see this, that's what it is. It's added to us have produced this for their athletes. They bring it on a little sweet sort of, there's a lunch box, but it's actually a cool box where they bring out their, their ice stuff. So that's what it is. They're picnic. Not their picnic. I mean, you could also use it for a picnic afterwards. So if you would like to feel that way, it could be a very good cooler for a bottle of something nice, Kim. If you lose, you know, you could just like get some champagne and. A little bit on ice. Drown your sorrows. But it does look a little bit like a stab vest though. I thought the, um, the, the, the vest version of it, but, you know, I thought it's not, but. No, you're protecting either way. You are protected from something, the heat. And, uh, I know that Joel was a sort of saying at Wimbledon, well, why, why isn't there a, sort of designated product for this? Because otherwise it always seems a bit makeshift. So I think, yeah, it's a good innovation from, from the added ass lab. And maybe we can reach out to them and get some far sales for the heat waves that may come next summer.

24:36But, uh, well, let's take a quick break now to join us in the second half where we'll be discussing the night session from day five at the US Open, including Sasha's Verov and Coco Gough and we'll be looking at how they got on. So do not go anywhere. Welcome back to the tennis weekly podcast. Then it's time now to look back on the night session action from day five at the US Open. We had Coco Gough in action, first of all, against Paula Badosa, who is actually a player. She doesn't have a particularly good record against us, she Chris. And the last time they played, she, uh, she did actually get beaten by Badosa in Berlin, which was Badosa's kind of first big win in a while this year. Um, but yeah, she managed to get through this one straight sets.

25:37I think she's very relieved because it could have been a bit of a, a bogey, uh, bogey skin match, uh, bogey skin, banana skin and bogey match mixing up my, uh, metaphors. But yeah, what did you make of Coco's performance? Obviously against quite tricky opponent for her. I mean, it was great for her to get the win. I thought it was going to be tough. I thought it might go to three sets. And I think there was a chance it could have gone that deep. I did see the statistic. It was like for the first time in two years, Coco Gough defeats Badosa. They've only played twice, I believe. And I think that was at the Australian Open where I think she won in the quarterfinals, when Badosa went all the way to the semis. And then as you say, like on the grass more recently, and that really has been the only big win that Badosa's had recently. But that doesn't mean we should underestimate Badosa in this moment. And Coco definitely didn't. And one thing I like about this is that, you know, it was straight sets. It was a really tight match. But what was interesting is that Gough actually said that she actually likes to be tested. And she thinks it's good to be tested.

26:38And so I think that's what's interesting is I do remember that runchhead in 2023. And I mean, that was three set after three sets. She found a way to win. I mean, even the final against Sabelenka, that was a real battle. So she's not afraid of a fight out there. And if it had gone to three, you would definitely think that Coco would be the person who would come through it. But I mean, it was very entertaining. It was high quality. But also really did bring it. So it's just one of those matches where it reminds you of how good she was. You know, former number two. I mean, the injuries and the issues that she has to deal with physically have really denied her. What could have been, you know, an absolutely stellar career and being a really big name. So I'm glad you got a bit of a moment. And hopefully, you know, there are a couple more years where she's able to put together some performances like this. Yeah, it was a good quality match to have on in the night session. And Coco said after that it was a real confidence boost to knowing she can get through a match. But you know, essentially, she's lost to someone what five times before, but over many years, of course.

27:38But yeah, because that must weigh on your mind a little bit that, you know, this player has got the better of you several times. Your boat is the bogey woman, isn't it? It's a woman, not the bogey skin. Yes. I don't know what you did down. I don't want to know either. That's a bit gross. But yeah, well done, Coco. She is through quite like the yellow. She was donning as well, quite bright. I think that works well for a USA pin easy to spot. I mean, Magi can't miss a can't miss Coco on the court. But we had such as very afterwards. And I mean, he's only really just finished because he's had another long match for us. Another five setter this time against Quentin Hallease took. It's very six three in the fifth set to get through Hallease finishing past two in the morning, local time. And this is not the most efficient way of trying to win the USA pin, is it? No. And I mean, Coco said she likes to be tested. It's very clearly loves to be tested because nine hours on court back to back five setters.

28:43He's not really saving himself for later in the tournament is here. And I mean, as the number one seed, it's not necessarily a number one seed style performance. It's not dominant by any means. But I mean, he's winning these matches and maybe he will, you know, get a bit of a better slot. I think that five set matches, he's had have been night session matches, which are a bit trickier, a bit heavier, not everyone loves those conditions. So maybe in a day session match, he can get through a bit more quicker. When it's a bit warmer out there, but I do think for Zverev, you do have to look at these sorts of results and think, why am I not getting this done quicker? And why am I being broken, you know, a few times in this match? And that's not something that you would really expect for someone with a serve like his. It's always been a bit more vulnerable than it should be. It's what my feeling has been. Having said that though, I mean, you'd have to think any win is a good win. I think I'm talking about that with everybody, the, a win is a win. But I feel like now you can't really predict what something's going to happen

29:46later in the tournament, based on how they played the beginning of the tournament, because you could just be playing yourself into form. But the problem does come when you're out there for too long that physically, it does drain you. Yeah, I think it's more that the physicality isn't it? You think, oh, when you're going to need it most playing maybe Alcaraz later on, are you going to be that extra bit drained? Whereas, you know, Alcaraz, if the wrist holds up, he's fresh as the day'sy, really, because he's not been playing for five months and he's just been sort of rehabbing and training. But yeah, I think Zverev will have to obviously improve and get the wins quicker if he wants to kind of go deep here. But we've seen him get to deep stages before just battling through. So it can be done for sure. I was going to say one thing came on this actually. He finished last today. He was the last match on. I think that's much better that the men's match actually goes on second. And I think that's something that's been a big talking point. Because otherwise, it means that the women are waiting like Venus Williams was

30:49and she didn't go on until after midnight. So at least if they can get wrapped up, they're not waiting for a match to finish and that match has already started for the men. And then they know that they're going to finish it because they've gone on to court. So I much prefer this way round because they do think it's not fair on the women to do it the other way round. And I also think that it means that there is a crowd for the women's match because I think a lot of people would want to see Coco, but if she was scheduled after Zverev, I'm not sure they could have stayed. No, I agree. I think the women's match should always be on first. Because it's likely to be shorter, isn't it? And you know, it's just rather than the women waiting around for a potential fifth setter, wouldn't you rather have players waiting around for just a three set match, you know? So I mean, it's obviously each match can depend. But yeah, I agree that should be the sort of optimal way round. But let's have a look at some other results that finished quite late in the day session from day five. We're back in our through over Boozers, Benero. How you doing, Kim? So it's all the shame.

31:50It's a hard isn't it? For you when Boozers, Monero loses, but yeah, two and four for a back in a starting to think she could actually be a real contender. We're not writing her off because of that that anger injury. She picked up. She seems to be doing all right. Early round. I was thinking maybe she's just going to do enough to secure the number one ranking then bounce, you know, that would be so we're back in a code. It wouldn't it, I think. But yeah, impressive when, you know, she's, she's very much going under the radar. And I think that is kind of how she prefers things to be. I don't think she likes all the media attention. I think she likes to get the job done. I think she enjoys, you know, just mind it. Well, being left to do her work. And that's what she's been doing so far. Absolutely. And we had a couple of men's results as well. Alex, Alex, to manure, sixth seed, losing in straight sets to but it vandesan shop. I mean, you did call this, I think, in our predictions preview episode, you said he was likely to go out early, not sure you had this particular conqueror of Alex, but you didn't have him going deep, did you?

32:54I did. And I actually, well, he's actually surpassed my expectations because I had him going out to a qualifier or a lucky loser in round one. I think he was my first top 10 player that I thought would be knocked out. And I mean, straight sets, he won't be happy with that. I think he does need a bit of a reset. And maybe it is a bit of time he needs away from the court because some of the things he said about how he feels about himself and his game, they're not things that you really want to be hearing. And I'm not sure this result is going to make it much better. And so I do think, you know, having a bit of perspective, not everything has to be about about the tennis for a little bit. Chris is Grand Slam results this year have actually got a bit backwards. He's kind of peaked in 2024 with those, I think, it's three quarter finals. And then he's now nine for for this year. So it's not the results he wanted, not the breakthrough he would want. So that is a shame. But again, there's no shame in losing to Botic is there Kim? Well, no, on his day, he, he's a nifty player. Joe Joel's quite a bit fan.

33:55I think you should have given him for ending the Dahls. I'm doing raffes career. He obviously did beat Raffer at that Davis car. But I mean, that was, you know, not the raffer of old, of course, then. So I have no resentment towards Botic van der Zandschel. No harboring any going into round three. It's all good. It's all good. And I mean, one player to map players retired, go on. And Fees, he has played his last match here at the USA, but now losing to learner TN in three sets. So I guess that one was kind of went the way it probably should go. But yeah, Monfee's bowing out on Louis Armstrong stadium as well. So I never grand slam maps them. I know. I can't imagine. Yeah, especially I think at the French open is where I'll miss him most probably because I've just used to, especially with his like night match sessions, all like the late day sessions with him on court playing some epic. That'll be like my overriding memory of him, I think. I have a grand slam level for sure.

34:56Yeah, it's such a special moment. And he did make the most of it this year. So we can't be too sad. It has been a long time coming. We've had a lot of tennis from Gail, haven't we? Well, you have. He's been a fantastic player to have on the tour over the years. And we'll see what he goes on to do in his next chapter. But our next chapter is day six at the US Open. So we do have lining up. Well, I suppose it's actually today as we as we're recording this, but Pagula Fernandez is opening on Arthur Ash. That's followed by Wu against Alcoraz. And then the evening session, well, they've gone for the Serena and Ville Venus Williams doubles against Chan and joint. And that's followed by Shelton Shabbavalov. So we'll get onto Serena and Venus in a minute. Sabelinkas over on Armstrong in the day session, followed by Bublick and Paul. I wonder if Paul can get the win here. And you know, I've got him to reach the final. So let's see. And then we've got TFO, Basharro and Svitilina Callinskaya in the night session on

35:59Armstrong and out on Grandstand, Kostya, Alexandra, Medvedev, Rindinek, Navarro Mukaba and Lahecka, sits past and some quite tasty encounters, I think, across all three of those chords. I've got to ask you, though, Chris Serena, Venus. Is this a slot you thought they were going to get that that night session on Ash? I mean, they had to, I mean, Venus stick at the night slot for singles. And you really do feel like, I mean, Serena, she is, I mean, such a superstar, Venus is such a superstar. It makes perfect sense is what the audience came to see. I think this is the, the slamwear entertainment trumps some of the quality of matches at times in terms of scheduling. And so I mean, I think it's the perfect slot for them. I do like the fact that it has relaxed them a bit. I think because we've seen Serena in the mixed doubles with Alchraaz, I feel like a Wimbledon in the hysteria was, was almost like it was. So I'm looking forward to this. I think it will be a really nice match for them.

37:00It's going to be tricky, but I think they will have their chances. I was less convinced that they would do well in Cincinnati. And then they did sort of exceed my expectations there by taking that set and kind of pushing it really close to beating. I think it was cost-trick and stones over there. So they will have chances, but I did notice it's my joint again. Surely Serena is going to be extra fired up for that one because, um, I think she, she must, must want to get a win against her now. I remember she also lost to Tom Riannavic, didn't she? And she lost, played the singles at the US Open. And that was the player that, that knocked her out. So I don't know. She saw stuff against these Australians on these, uh, actually, it's the Southern Hemisphere because she's played, I mean, she's only played a few matches, played Aaron Raucler for, I think, three times. I think one set, Queen's the next week over, I think she was in Germany. And then in the mixed doubles with Carlos. So, um, it's funny how these draws work. It is, but aside from the, the Williams sisters doubles, what draws you are either most in terms of the other matches that we've got to enjoy on

38:04basics. Well, I mean, Bublick Tommy Paul was an absolute epic last year. The win it was five sets. Um, I think Canon's guy versus Fittalina will be very interesting. I'm not sure that's going to be a very easy affair for Svittalina. I mean, you guys haven't got her going very deep. I'm not sure that I have either. Um, I'm also very much enjoying this sort of sits-upass resurgence that we've got going. And I hope he can get the best of Le Hetscher out on Grandstand because it feels like now that, you know, Patrick's in his corner, he's got some new influence, um, on new old influence they have worked together before. I think that would be nice to see. But I mean, there are some great matches and I think sheltered in the night session against Shapovolova is going to be pretty epic. I think that they're very evenly matched. I would say I wouldn't be surprised if Shapovolo got a win there. Yeah. Good tease and upset. But let's say can T to enjoy and we'll be back to, of course, wrap it up tomorrow as well. So today Kim, I'm.

39:06Days to five. What day is it? It's so confusing. Is it day six now? But we're talking about day five. We're doing day five. Day six will come tomorrow. So stick around for that. But that does wrap up our day five catch up here for the USA. And here from tennis weekly HQ. So we hope you've enjoyed it. Remember to subscribe so you don't miss a moment of action from flushing my days where we are. Of course, doing daily episodes across the fortnight. We're just not sure what day is what you can find us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all your favorite podcasts platforms out there. And if you love what you're hearing, do be sure to leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts or Spotify if you can and hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube. And you can stay connected to us on social media. We're on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, threads and X. The hounder for all of those is tennis weekly pod. And if you'd like to listen to this, add free. You're able to subscribe to us. That's tennisweekly at dot supercast dot com. And if you'd like to send us a mail bag or drop us an email, it's tennisweekly pod at jimel.com

40:08or visit our website tennisweekly.co.uk. And we'll be back tomorrow for our US Open Day six catch up. But until then, it's goodbye from Chris. Goodbye. And it's goodbye from me. Thanks for listening. We'll catch you next time on tennis weekly.