The US Open witnessed a surprising turn of events on Saturday as three former finalists—Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, and Taylor Fritz—were eliminated in the third round, marking a disappointing day for American tennis fans.
Amanda Anisimova, who was the runner-up in the previous year's tournament, faced a tough challenge against 24th seed Anastasia Potapova. Anisimova lost in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, continuing her struggle to find form after battling injuries this season. This defeat marks her third consecutive exit in the third round of a Grand Slam event, highlighting the difficulties she has faced since her impressive run last year.
In a dramatic match, Madison Keys, the 2017 US Open finalist, squandered a match point and ultimately fell to Qinwen Zheng. Keys started strong, racing to a 5-0 lead in the final set, but her momentum shifted dramatically after failing to convert a match point while serving at 5-1. Zheng, who had to come through qualifying and has battled injuries that dropped her ranking to world No. 121, rallied to win the match 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5. Zheng expressed her determination, saying, “I’m just telling myself to keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there and somehow little by little it just happened.”
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz, the 2024 finalist, faced Francisco Cerundolo in a gripping five-set encounter. After taking a two-set lead, Fritz faltered, eventually losing 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 4-6. The match turned when Fritz failed to capitalize on three break points at 4-3 in the final set, allowing Cerundolo to seize control. The Argentinian, who was making his debut on Arthur Ashe Stadium, showcased remarkable composure, serving out the match from 0-30 down. Cerundolo reflected on the match, stating, “In the third I started to get into it, step by step, and in the fourth and fifth I played really good tennis. Taylor is a top player, he’s played in the final here, so winning, my first time on Arthur Ashe, it’s fantastic.”
These unexpected exits underscore the volatility of the tournament, where even seasoned players can struggle under pressure. The US Open continues to be a platform for emerging talents like Zheng and Potapova, both of whom are looking to capitalize on their recent successes. As the tournament progresses, the absence of these former finalists opens up opportunities for other players to make their mark.
For Anisimova, Keys, and Fritz, this year's US Open serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in reclaiming their positions among the elite in tennis. The competition remains fierce, and with each match, the stakes only get higher as players vie for the coveted title in New York.
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