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Now it’s Haddad Maia who holds in short order to lead 6-2 2-4 and her coach is chatting at her – apparently he’s not stopped all match. I think he’s telling her to chill, but whatever’s going on it doesn’t seem to be fazing her and, as I type, a poor swing-volley gives her 0-30. And she makes it to 15-40 courtesy of another Wozniacki error … but an ace and a deep forehand on to the sideline make deuce. This is thrilling, compelling stuff and from there, the two-time beaten finalist serves out for a 5-3 second-set lead.
Wozniacki rushes through a hold for 4-1 in set two and is two games away from forcing a decider.
So Wozniacki earns another only to swipe a backhand return wide as comms note her difficulty in converting break points through advantage because of Haddad Maia’s lefty serve out wide to the backhand when attacking the ad court. But a poor miss from the Brazilian, netting with court at which to aim, offers another chance and this time she cuts her opponent a … er … um… break, sending down a double that illustrates a major momentum shift at 6-2 1-3 in third, given not that long ago, she was a set and a break up.
Thanks will and hi again everyone. This is a terrific match, Haddad Maia fighting to hold up 6-1 1-2. She is not someone I totally trust under pressure, and Wozniacki will want to make her play as many balls as possible … but have a look! She plays a miserable drop but the response is right at her and she spirits a glorious pass cross-court to raise another break point … quickly confiscated via forehand winner.
Right, time for me to hand back to Daniel Harris. Enjoy the rest of the action.
*Wozniacki 2-6, 2-1 Haddad Maia (denotes server) It’s another tricky service game, but Wozniacki holds. Can Haddad Maia respond in kind?
Daniil Medvedev (5) beats Nuno Borges 6-0, 6-1, 6-3
Meanwhile, over on Arthur Ashe, Borges’s resistance has been broken. Medvedev races to victory in the third set and, just like that, earns a straight-sets win and a spot in the quarter-finals.
Wozniacki 2-6, 1-1 Haddad Maia* (denotes server) Wozniacki crafts two break points, working her openings deftly. Haddad Maia saves the first with a cross-court zinger from the right sideline. She follows up with a chunky ace to take the game to deuce. She then double faults, however, giving Wozniacki another shot at the break. Wozniacki slices into the net, Haddad Maia sends a shot long to dish up a fourth break point and, finally, Wozniacki takes her opportunity.
*Borges 0-6, 1-6, 3-3 Medvedev (denotes server) Borges is still clinging on in the third set, holding serve with Medvedev on the prowl.
*Wozniacki 2-6, 0-1 Haddad Maia (denotes server) Haddad Maia pulls and pushes Wozniacki around the court, showing excellent point construction and agile footwork. A series of thumped forehand winners take her to 40-0 and three break points. She takes her chance at the first time of asking, leaving Wozniacki crestfallen.
Borges 0-6, 1-6, 2-3 Medvedev* (denotes server) After that brief wobble, Medvedev has wrested back momentum. He holds serve with a steely focus.
Haddad Maia has won the first set 6-2. Wozniacki gave her a scare in the final game, but the Brazilian held her nerve, and serve, to cement her lead.
*Borges 0-6, 1-6, 2-2 Medvedev (denotes server) Well, that was short-lived. It’s another battle at deuce, both players letting slip chances to wrap up the game. Borges double faults to waste an advantage, Medvedev finally punishing him by breaking back.
We’re back under way on both courts. All seems to be in order.
Both matches have been temporarily suspended because of a fire alarm. Let’s take a breather, shall we?
*Wozniacki 2-5 Haddad Maia (denotes server) Wozniacki allows herself a wry smile after a straightforward hold. Where has that serve been?
Wozniacki 1-5 Haddad Maia* (denotes server) Haddad Maia rattles to 30-0, but Wozniacki produces an excellent forehand winner to hit back. She fails to deal with a big serve, but hits an aggressive return to drag it to 40-30. The pair thrash out a fierce rally, covering the court at a frantic pace. Wozniacki eventually sends a shot wide, handing the game to her opponent.
Borges 0-6, 1-6, 2-1 Medvedev* (denotes server) Borges gets a break! The crowd roar in approval. Is it too late to make a match of it? Probably. But it’s much better from him.
*Wozniacki 1-4 Haddad Maia (denotes server) Wozniacki is not happy. She coughs up another break with a double fault, with her serve now fully haywire.
*Borges 0-6, 1-6, 1-1 Medvedev (denotes server) Borges and Medvedev duke it out at deuce, the latter squandering his chance to break. Borges holds serve with a big ace, cracking a rueful smile.
Wozniacki 1-3 Haddad Maia* (denotes server) It’s not the most confident service game, but we have our first hold. Wozniacki takes it to deuce with some battling points, but her forehand goes wonky and Haddad Maia sees it out from there.
Borges 0-6, 1-6, 0-1 Medvedev* (denotes server) Medvedev starts the third set with much the same vibe as the first and second, blasting through his first service game to love.
Hello! Let’s get to it, then. Haddad Maia has broken Wozniacki again, making it three consecutive breaks in the first set.
Righto, it’s time for my break, so here’s Will Magee to hang for the next hour.
We go to and from advantage and deuce, Wozniacki burning six opportunities to break back. But eventually, down advantage, Haddad Maia nets and we’re at 1-1 in the first. On Ashe, meantime, Medvedev breaks Borges yet again to seal the second set 6-1. I think he’s got a chance of winning this.
On Armstrong, Wozniacki and Haddad Maia are under way and this feels like a very … describable matchup. Wozniacki will keep the ball in play, looking to work opportunities, while Haddad Maia – who broke in game one and has just saved two break-back points in game two – will want to hit winners.
Medvedev is showing Borges no mercy, now up 6-0 4-1 with a second second-set break.
But Medvedev then breaks for 6-1 3-1; Borges just can’t get anything going. Jack Draper, on the other hand, has it all going on and he’s with Eurosport now saying he did a really good job controlling his emotions.
Asked about playing brave tennis on break points – he serve-volleyed on a few – he explains that he noticed Machac standing well back and on Armstrong, the ball comes through quickly and the shadow makes it difficult.
He goes on to explain that he’s only had three coaches and they’ve all been great with him. They all have his best interests at heart and that’s hard to find in professional sport because there are a lot of people out for themselves.
He’s been through a lot with injuries the last few years and he thinks about that a lot – he was considering quitting the game – but here he is.
Back on Ashe, Borges is on the board, trailing Medvedev 6-0 1-1.
On telly they’re extremely impressed with Draper’s performance, and at 22, it was just so mature. We know he can serve well and give it a whack, but constructing the points; going for winners at the right times; staying calm when under pressure; mark out someone who could go on to do plenty.
