US Open 2021 Day 6 as it happened - Novak Djokovic beats Kei Nishikori as Great Britain's Emma Raducanu roars through
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Updated 04/09/2021 at 21:36 GMT
Day 6 of the 2021 US Open saw Novak Djokovic maintain his bid to win a men's record 21st Grand Slam title. There were some interesting names in action elsewhere with rising British star Emma Raducanu continuing her fairytale run in New York.
Novak Djokovic
Image credit: Getty Images
Join us again on Day 7
That's it for our LIVE game-by-game updates of today's action at the US Open. You can, of course, follow what's happening in the late session via our US Open score centre. That includes world number one, Ash Barty up against American Shelby Rogers.
Men's No.4 seed Alexander Zverev also features as he takes on the USA’s Jack Sock.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-2 NISHIKORI
The world No.1’s bid for a calendar Grand Slam and a stand-alone record of 21 majors rolls on as he saves two break points to serve out the contest from deuce on his third match point. The Serbinator was given a stern test for large spells by Kei but once he took the second set always looked like coming through and did so in three hours and 32 minutes. He will now meet Karatsev or Brooksby next.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 5-2 NISHIKORI
There’s the insurance break. Djokovic tees up break point with a trademark backhand winner up the line before outlasting Nishikori in a crosscourt exchange. The Serbinator will now serve for the match.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 4-2 NISHIKORI
The world number one finds a flurry of huge serves to easily consolidate.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 3-2 NISHIKORI
Is that a killer blow? It could well be the case. Djokovic shows his intent with another mesmerising winner to start the game. He quickly takes advantage of some sloppy work from Kei to snare triple BP. The Japanese manages to re-focus to save two but then hooks a forehand long. Cue the Djokovic roar!
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 2-2 NISHIKORI
Another simple but highly effective hold for Djokovic. You sense Kei is going to have to break first if he’s to have any chance from this juncture.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 1-2 NISHIKORI
The world No.56 responds to a sublime Djoker return winner with an even better crosscourt backhand to nudge the board in his favour once more.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 1-1 NISHIKORI
The Djokovic serve is the key difference in this match-up. He just get a far greater share of cheap points than Nishikori. The Serb has not had it all his own way today but enjoys an efficient hold here to level things up.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 0-1 NISHIKORI
Kei is taking more and more risk. This time it pays off. He clips an edge of the line on a second serve which catches Djokovic out and creates the chance for him to lash home a forehand crosscourt winner. The Japanese finds some timely first serves and gets on the board first in Set 4.
SET! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 6-3 NISHIKORI
The Serb moves to within a set of round four. He lets out one of those familiar roars as he absolutely corks a backhand up the line. The Serb is a couple of millimetres away when trying to convert the first of two set points but then screams even louder as Kei blasts long on the second.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 5-3 NISHIKORI
So much hard work from Kei but he still can’t back up the break. He does brilliantly to move 40-30 up from 0-30 down but feels the nerves at deuce. He saves break point but then goes too heavy looking to get out of dodge with a sizzling backhand. Djokovic earns another chance and the Japanese again feels he needs to hit a powerhouse forehand to make any breakthrough and ends up slapping it into the net. Novak will now serve for the set.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 4-3 NISHIKORI
That’s a plot twist we weren’t expecting. Djokovic hammers an ace down the middle T for 40-0 but then begins to lose his way. Nishikori makes deuce with a crosscourt forehand winner on the run and then snares a BP but a backhand winner up the line sees Novak save it. He puts his hands to his ears and soaks up the adulation. He does it again picking up game point but then inexplicably fires down a pair of double faults. Nishikori defends the second serve and punches the air as the Serb fizzes a crosscourt attempt wide.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 4-2 NISHIKORI
Djokovic steers a backhand just long and can’t force deuce from 40-0 down. Kei stays in the set but you sense the damage has been done.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 4-1 NISHIKORI
The world No.1 hammers home his advantage by consolidating with a hold to 15.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 3-1 NISHIKORI
Case in point. The top seed conjures up two break points. Kei saves one, but the Serbinator hones in on his target and makes it count. Nole is four from 10 but Nishikori is just one from nine.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 2-1 NISHIKORI
The 20-time Grand Slam champion keeps his nose in front. Kei needs to make the most of these games that he’s causing problems in. It’s been a tight match but since the tie break Djokovic has had the upper hand.
Raducanu reacts
Emma Raducanu has just given a charming and composed post-match interview on Court 17:
I was playing very well. I know Sara is an extremely tough opponent. She doesn’t make mistakes and you have to be on your game for every single point and work so hard.There were some really long deuce games that could have gone either way, so I was just happy to maintain and stay on it and win in the end."
She added: "The plan was I had to hit through her and hit the corners… I took the game to her and hit more winners than errors today."
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - RADUCANU 6-0 6-1 SORRIBES TORMO
The 18-year-old sitting at 150 in the world and in only her second major main draw destroys the woman ranked 41 on the planet in just one hour and nine minutes. Fittingly she bullets a winner up the line – her 22nd of the match – to cap a quite sensational display. She will now meet world No.1 Ash Barty or American Shelby Rogers in round four.
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Emma Raducanu celebrates winning a point, US Open, Flushing Meadows, New York, September 4, 2021
Image credit: Getty Images
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 1-1 NISHIKORI
Gutsy work from Nishikori. He has Djokovic taking a tumble deep beyond his baseline with a bold strike to save BP. He’s not giving up just yet and manages to pull off the hold despite some very sharp attacking from his opponent.
RADUCANU 6-0 5-1 SORRIBES TORMO
On. The. Board. Sara jumps into the air to put away a serve volley and dig out a hard-fought and long hold – finally! Raducanu had her chances but couldn’t convert a match point and saw a few blockbusting shots flash an inch long.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 1-0 NISHIKORI
Djokovic keeps winning the key points. Kei re-directs the Nole power to brilliantly make 30-30 with a clever winner but the Serb finds the big serve and duly eases through from there.
RADUCANU 6-0 5-0 SORRIBES TORMO
The Brit is going to be making more headlines. She easily holds to 15 and is one game away from an incredible win on Court 17.
SET! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 6-3 NISHIKORI
Kei can only steer wide after digging a sharp return out from under his feet. It sees him cough up the break – and the set. Djokovic trailed throughout the game but seized his moment after making deuce. Will that crack the Japanese’s spirit?
BREAK! - RADUCANU 6-0 4-0 SORRIBES TORMO
It’s a perfect 10! Emma just continues to come up with the answers. Sara has a glimmer of hope at 30-15 and at deuce but the Brit won’t let her have anything. It’s another break and she’s two games away from a potential showdown with world No.1 Ash Barty!
RADUCANU 6-0 3-0 SORRIBES TORMO
The 24-year-old Spaniard simply has no answer. She thinks she’s got a half chance at 0-30 but the power and depth is just tiring out her slice defence. The GB starlet comes charging back and remains flawless on that board.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 5-3 NISHIKORI
That’s much more routine from Nole’s perspective as he moves to within a game of levelling the match. Those two games where Kei failed to convert any of seven BPs look like being costly.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 4-3 NISHIKORI
Kei gets a taste of his own medicine as he has to hang tight in a lengthy service game from deuce. Djoker can’t make enough of a move to get the insurance break but will be content that this is proving to be an energy-sapping affair that will only play into his hands in the long run.
BREAK! - RADUCANU 6-0 2-0 SORRIBES TORMO
Slice defence, scampering in vain from side to side - Sara is just being outclassed. Raducanu drags her around the court before claiming another break with a beauty of a backhand.
RADUCANU 6-0 1-0 SORRIBES TORMO
There’s a little bit more resistance from Sorribes Tormo but it’s still not enough. Tactically she’s been out-thought as the teenager executes a perfect 1-2 punch at 30-30 to pave the way to a seventh game on the spin.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 4-2 NISHIKORI
More frustration for Nishikori. He racks up two more break points but again is perhaps too passive when he could go for the killer blow. Djoker slaps down a sixth ace of the match from deuce and maintains his advantage despite being on the back foot for much of the set.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 3-2 NISHIKORI
No sign of Kei caving despite that disappointment at not being able to break back. He’s really enjoying himself out there and stays in touch.
SET! - RADUCANU 6-0 SORRIBES TORMO
That bagel took 32-minutes to make as Emma cooks up an absolute storm by breaking to love. Wow, just wow.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 3-1 NISHIKORI
That must be demoralising. Kei charges 15-40 up but can’t get it done. Djoker saves both but then comes under the cosh from deuce. The Japanese red lines to clock up no fewer than five BPs but the top seed stands firm and somehow wriggles out of trouble to consolidate.
BREAK! - RADUCANU 4-0 SORRIBES TORMO
This is ruthless. The world No.150 hits SO big. The power off both flanks just thumps away at the Spaniard’s defences. They are good – but not good enough. Emma tees up two more BPs with a vicious drive volley and despite lashing a backhand wide on the first, she prevails on the second to snatch a double break.
RADUCANU 3-0 SORRIBES TORMO
This girl is fearless. She shrugs off a couple of early double faults and charges back from 15-30 down to consolidate. It’s another fast-paced start from the 18-year-old.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 2-1 NISHIKORI
Finally. Kei displays remarkable defence to swat of the first of two break points. Djokovic is throwing the kitchen sink at him and has to show typical dexterity to reach a pick-up pass at the net and divert a winner. These two are playing some exceptional tennis but it’s the world number one who seizes the initiative now.
BREAK! - RADUCANU 2-0 SORRIBES TORMO
It’s an epic. Emma hits back from 30-0 down and earns a break points with a scintillating backhand winner up the line. Sara saves it with a block volley at the net and then fends off another. It’s a real face-off from deuce but the Brit gets a third and finally hammers down the Spaniards defences with a barrage of hefty blows.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 1-1 NISHIKORI
Djokovic darts through a love hold. He’ll be keen to make an early impact on the return game here. You can almost sense his frustration bubbling away.
DJOKOVIC 6-7 0-1 NISHIKORI
Nole wins one of the rallies of the match to try and open the door at 15-30 but Kei is still feeling it out there and slams the door shut, reeling off a trio of points to snare the scoreboard advantage in Set 2.
RADUCANU 1-0 SORRIBES TORMO
It’s bright opening from the Brit. She unloads her big weapons off both flanks but gets an early glimpse of Sorribes Tormo’s ability to absorb pressure. The Brit does enough though and holds to 30.
SET! - DJOKOVIC 6-7 NISHIKORI
That is magnificent! The Japanese turns on the after burners in the breaker, producing a supreme lob to take charge before serving out in style. He takes the tie break 7-4 after one hour and four minutes. It halts a run of 18 sets in a row lost on a hard court against Nole.
Berrettini through in five
TB LATEST
Novak turns a 2-1 deficit and a mini break around but then hooks a crosscourt attempt into the net and it’s 3-3 at the change of ends.
DJOKOVIC 6-6 NISHIKORI
No worries there. The expected push from the world number one does not materialise. Kei cruises to as love hold and we are heading into a tie break!
DJOKOVIC 6-5 NISHIKORI
That’s the perfect time to throw down a rush of aces. Djokovic keeps applying that scoreboard pressure. Can Kei force the tie break his first-set performance deserves?
DJOKOVIC 5-5 NISHIKORI
Big cheers from the crowd as Nishikori resists Djokovic’s late push to jangle his nerves to move level.
DJOKOVIC 5-4 NISHIKORI
He’s been here so many times before and Djokovic makes sure he cranks up the heat on his opponent with an excellent service game. He gobbles up a host of cheap points and hits the front at just the right moment in the set.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 4-4 NISHIKORI
Kei pretty much undoes all of that good work with a real drop in level and a woeful service game. His attempted drop shot at two break points down is a poor choice and barely reaches the net. He shakes his head and knows he was his own worst enemy there.
DJOKOVIC 3-4 NISHIKORI
It’s a bit of a mixed bag from the top seed but he survives a third double fault of the match and a sumptuous winner from the Japanese to remain hot on his tail.
DJOKOVIC 2-4 NISHIKORI
Kei is put through the grinder but comes through the test. Several times he thinks he’s in a winning position but Djoker keeps piling on the pressure. The Japanese saves break point and outlasts the Serb in a number of baseline exchanges. It’s been a really positive period of play for the 2014 US Open finalist.
Berrettini taken to a fifth by Ivashka
DJOKOVIC 2-3 NISHIKORI
Djokovic has been muttering away to his box but comes out and finds that serving mojo. He earns some quick, cheap points before concluding the love hold with a crisp volley that wrong-foots his opponent.
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Novak Djokovic | US Open 2021
Image credit: Getty Images
DJOKOVIC 1-3 NISHIKORI
Wow. Kei rolling back the years like it’s 2014. He lashes a pearl of a backhand winner that clips the line before a wide ace sees him consolidate with aplomb.
BREAK! - DJOKOVIC 1-2 NISHIKORI
Brilliant from Kei. The nature of that hold has given him a major lift and he finds his A-game on the return. He tees up triple break point and although Nole saves one, a chip and charge tactic on the return rushes the world number one and forces an error wide.
DJOKOVIC 1-1 NISHIKORI
It’s looking bleak as Djoker sizzles a backhand winner up the line and then outlasts the world No.56 to clock up two break points. However, the Japanese digs deep and saves both, with the second seeing him come out on top with a volley at the net following a wonderful rally. Two huge serves then get Kei out of dodge and he’s on the board. For the sake of the match as a spectacle, it’s important Nishikori gains some belief out there.
DJOKOVIC 1-0 NISHIKORI
That won’t get it done from Nishikori’s perspective. He barely makes a return and only troubles the board via a Djoker double fault. Routine for Nole and Kei will have to find his rhythm fast or it’ll be the same old story in this match-up.
H2H
Djokovic owns the match-up 17-2 and emphatically triumphed 6-2 6-0 in the quarter finals of the Tokyo Olympics recently. Kei’s last win was back in 2014 on this very stage, shocking the Serb 6-4 1-6 7-6 6-3 in the semi finals.
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‘Something unbelievable’ – Will Djokovic win 21st Grand Slam?
Nole-time!
It is almost time for the world number one to take centre stage. Novak Djokovic’s bid for the calendar Grand Slam continues today against Japan’s Kei Nishikori. The players are due out on court at Arthur Ashe Stadium shortly.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! - KVITOVA 4-6 3-6 SAKKARI
That sums up Petra’s day. She double faults on match point and Sakkari completes a dominant victory in just one hOur and 20 minutes. The Greek was just too composed and solid against the erratic Czech who made 33 unforced errors overall. Sakkari will now meet Bianca Andreescu in round four.
KVITOVA 4-6 3-5 SAKKARI
The Greek has been fabulous today. She slaps a ninth ace of the match down the T before clinching another confident hold with a delicate touch low at her feet to produce a drop shot winner.
KVITOVA 4-6 3-4 SAKKARI
That’s more like it from Petra. The big serve does most of the damage. The Czech needs to get that radar working. If she’s going to turn this around we are heading into now or never territory.
KVITOVA 4-6 2-4 SAKKARI
No danger. Sakkari ruthlessly powers through a love hold as Kvitova continues to struggle to find her range.
KVITOVA 4-6 2-3 SAKKARI
Maria must wonder how she’s not well clear here. Kvitova has to fend off another break point but clutch serving helps her wriggle free from deuce.
KVITOVA 4-6 1-3 SAKKARI
The No.17 seed responds to Kvitova’s venting with some shouts of encouragement of her own as she keeps the Czech at arm’s length with another determined hold to 30.
KVITOVA 4-6 1-2 SAKKARI
Petra lets out a guttural shriek as she saves break point with an ace down the T. The Czech can barely keep her forehand on court but staves off a second before Sakkari reaches a drop shot only to push her pass just wide. The Greek then sweeps a crosscourt forehand wide and Kvitova gets on the board. Cue another scream. Will Maria look back on this game in frustration?
KVITOVA 4-6 0-2 SAKKARI
The game-plan continues to work a treat. It’s obviously more complicated than ‘stay solid’ but the execution is making it look easy at times for the No.17 seed. She backs up her break and is looking good to match her best run at the US Open (in 2020) by moving into round four. What can Kvitova unearth to change the course of this match?
BREAK! - KVITOVA 4-6 0-1 SAKKARI
Oof! It’s a new set, but it’s the same old story for Kvitova. She’s being frustrated by Sakkari’s patience and accuracy. She’s already leaking errors but continues to go for big shots to try and wrestle control her way. It helps her storm back from 15-40 but when a third opportunity presents, she cannot deny the Greek.
SET! - KVITOVA 4-6 SAKKARI
Maria looks to her corner and gives it the fist pumps. It’s a highly accomplished game that she serves out to love to take the opener in 37 minutes. She’s been as a solid as a rock with just seven unforced errors to Kvitova's 16.
KVITOVA 4-5 SAKKARI
Maria drags a backhand just wide and Kvitova scrambles back from 0-30 to pose the serve-out question. Kvitova hit an absolute beast of a forehand winner in the middle of that recovery. She’ll need to find more of those if she’s going to turn the tide her way.
KVITOVA 3-5 SAKKARI
The Czech goes on the return offensive once more but Sakkari keeps coming up with the answers on the big points. She keeps Petra at bay to take the game to 30 and is one away from taking the opener.
KVITOVA 3-4 SAKKARI
Petra reins in the errors and comes up with a much-needed, strong service game to stay in touch. She’s the type of player that can reel off countless games in a row if she hits a purple patch. She's got herself back on track now and remains in the hunt in this set.
KVITOVA 2-4 SAKKARI
Assured serving does the business for the No.17 seed as she consolidates. Kvitova is already up to 10 unforced errors and the difference so far is that Sakkari has been more solid and consistent.
BREAK! - KVITOVA 2-3 SAKKARI
How often do you see that? A player pushes hard for a break, doesn’t get their reward and then folds in the next service game to lose the momentum. Well, it just happened to Kvitova as the Greek reaped the rewards from more leaky play from the two-time major winner.
KVITOVA 2-2 SAKKARI
The game is on Kvitova’s racket but she can’t finish off some explosive approach play. The No.10 seed attacks the second serve with some venomous returns and chalks up two break points. She goes too big on one and then can’t control the pace attacking the first serve. Sakkari somehow nudges in front and gets out of dodge when another huge Kvitova forehand flashes just wide at the baseline.
KVITOVA 2-1 SAKKARI
The Greek manages to get a better read on her return game but can’t press her opponent to deuce as Kvitova seals the game with a wrong-footing crosscourt forehand.
KVITOVA 1-1 SAKKARI
Whatever you can do…. Sakkari follows suits with a rapid hold she secures by barely breaking sweat.
KVITOVA 1-0 SAKKARI
That’s a rather polished service game to get things underway. Kivtova lands a trio of huge serves before rounding off a clinical love hold with an ace.
H2H
Sakkari leads the match-up 3-2. Their most recent encounter was in Stuttgart earlier this year with Kvitova prevailing 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the last 16.
Centre stage
The action at Arthur Ashe Stadium is set to get underway from 17:00 BST. It's quite a tasty one to kick things off there too with a round three clash between No.10 seed Petra Kvitova and No.17 seed Maria Sakkari.
Hello
Hello and welcome to Eurosport's live coverage of Day 6 of the 2021 US Open. It's been a cracking start to the tournament so far and there are plenty more exciting matches coming your way.
We've got some great players in action today including Bianca Andreescu, Matteo Berrettini, Novak Djokovic and Emma Raducanu.
Here's what to look out for at the US Open on Saturday, September 4...
Top Match
Raducanu is quickly becoming a household name in British tennis.
Just how far can the teenager from Kent go? She has a tough match against Sara Sorribes Tormo who, like Raducanu, has not yet dropped a set.
Potential Upset
Zverev looks unstoppable right now on a 13-match winning streak. The Olympic gold medallist has found this year’s US Open relatively easy so far with straight set wins over Sam Querrey and Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Now he goes into the third round against Jack Sock who produced a surprise five-sets win over number 31 seed Alexander Bublik.
Sock and Zverev have not met on court since 2017 and the American holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist.
In front of a home crowd, Sock might just fancy his chances as he enters the match in good form.
Brit Watch
Raducanu is the only Brit in singles action on Saturday and there is plenty of hope in the UK that she can make a deep run in her first ever US Open.
Next-Gen Watch
Jannik Sinner won the Great Ocean Road Open in January, before reaching the final at the Miami Masters and the semi-finals in Barcelona as well winning the biggest title of his career: the Citi Open.
Sinner has battled his way into the third round of the US Open with four set wins over Max Purcell and Zach Svajda, but now comes up against the experienced number 17 seed Gael Monfils.
It should be a highly-entertaining contest and the 20-year-old Italian will feel he has a good chance of beating Monfils, who this year has a win-loss record of 7-12, and reach the fourth round for the first time in his career.
Order of Play, Saturday, September 4 – from 5pm UK time
Arthur Ashe Stadium (5pm)
- P. Kvitova (CZE) [10] v M. Sakkari (GRE) [17]
- N. Djokovic (SRB) [1] v K. Nishikori (JPN)
Not before 12am
- A. Barty (AUS) [1] v S. Rogers (USA)
- A. Zverev (GER) [4] v J. Sock (USA)
Louis Armstrong Stadium (4pm)
- G. Minnen (BEL) v B. Andreescu (CAN) [6]
- B. Bencic (SUI) [11] v J. Pegula (USA) [23]
- G. Monfils (FRA) [17] v J. Sinner (ITA) [13]
Not before 12am
- L. Harris (RSA) v D. Shapovalov (CAN) [7]
- V. Gracheva (RUS) v A. Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [14]
Grandstand (4pm)
- I. Ivashka (BLR) v M. Berrettini (ITA) [6]
- A. Kontaveit (EST) [28] v I. Swiatek (POL) [7]
Not before 8pm
- K. Pliskova (CZE) [4] v A. Tomljanovic (AUS)
- N. Basilashvili (GEO) v R. Opelka (USA) [22]
Court 17 (5pm)
- A. Seppi (ITA) v O. Otte (GER)
- S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) v E. Raducanu (GBR)
- A. Karatsev (RUS) [21] v J. Brooksby (USA)
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