Night time on Arthur Ashe.....Waiting on Maria.
Schwartzman upends Cilic, continues run of upsets.
WHAT HAPPENED: Before we discuss the biggest upset to rock the 2017 US Open, an exercise: Print the the bottom of the men's draw, cross it with two lines and write the following three words: Open. For. Takers.
Buoyed by a pro-Argentinian crowd, 5-foot-7 Diego Schwartzman delivered more chaos into the already-open bottom half, shocking fifth seed and title contender Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 for the biggest win of his career on Friday afternoon.
“I want to say thank you to the crowd today,” said Schwartzman, who played to chants of “Ole, ole, ole, ole” and “Di-ego Schwartz-man.”
The 25-year-old Argentine, playing in his first third-round match in Queens, refused to be bullied by the 6-foot-6 Cilic, who was looking to add to his 2014 US Open title this fortnight.
But Cilic had missed the two Masters 1000 tournaments prior to the Open because of an adductor injury, and his lack of match experience showed against the in-form Schwartzman, who had gained his first Top 10 win last month in Montreal en route to the quarterfinals.
Cilic converted only seven of his 21 break points against the Argentine, and he often wilted under pressure. He served for a 6-5 lead in the second set but double faulted at 30-30 and Schwartzman later broke. On set point, the Argentine delivered a 64 mph second serve but Cilic netted his backhand return.
The Croatian made 80 unforced errors, including nine double faults, and Schwartzman scraped through the three-hour and 23-minute match. The 25-year-old converted nine of his 20 break points and overcame his own nerves while trying to close.
He had to erase three break points in the final game to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. “The last game was terrible,” he said. “In my mind I couldn’t play.”
After the match, he couldn’t stand. Once his forehand bounced in and hit the back wall, Schwartzman fell to the ground, arms and legs spread, and wearing a smile about as wide as his 5-foot-7 frame.
"I am a little bit surprised, but the last weeks I was playing really well. I did third round in Paris (Roland Garros) and quarters in Montreal," Schwartzman said. "I think my confidence, it's going up. I think in every match I can win. I am playing well and trying to be like this every match."
WHAT IT MEANS: At the start of tournament, Cilic had been the highest seed in his quarter, having taken the place of second seed Andy Murray after his withdrawal because of a hip injury. The Croatian then became the highest seed in the entire bottom half after fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany lost in the second round on Wednesday. Cilic was also the lone former champion in all of the bottom 64.
But with his ouster, 10th seed John Isner, who plays on Friday evening, is the highest seed in the bottom half, and 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta is now the highest seed in the Cilic's quarter, followed by 16th seed Lucas Pouille. No player in that half of the draw has reached a Grand Slam final.
"Sometimes if you have luck in the draw and you can take the chances, it's always good for the new guys or for the guys who are out of the Top 10," Schwartzman said. "I think many players are doing well this week, and they are taking the opportunities because [others] are injured... I think we are trying to take the chances and trying to go forward in the tournament."
But don’t count out Schwartzman in this Wide Open Open. A month ago, he was 0-13 against Top 10 opponents. But after beating Thiem in Montreal and Cilic on Friday, Schwartzman is suddenly looking like the type player no one wants to face in New York.
MATCH POINT: How far can Schwartzman’s run go in Flushing Meadows?
WHAT HAPPENED: Before we discuss the biggest upset to rock the 2017 US Open, an exercise: Print the the bottom of the men's draw, cross it with two lines and write the following three words: Open. For. Takers.
Buoyed by a pro-Argentinian crowd, 5-foot-7 Diego Schwartzman delivered more chaos into the already-open bottom half, shocking fifth seed and title contender Marin Cilic 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 for the biggest win of his career on Friday afternoon.
“I want to say thank you to the crowd today,” said Schwartzman, who played to chants of “Ole, ole, ole, ole” and “Di-ego Schwartz-man.”
The 25-year-old Argentine, playing in his first third-round match in Queens, refused to be bullied by the 6-foot-6 Cilic, who was looking to add to his 2014 US Open title this fortnight.
But Cilic had missed the two Masters 1000 tournaments prior to the Open because of an adductor injury, and his lack of match experience showed against the in-form Schwartzman, who had gained his first Top 10 win last month in Montreal en route to the quarterfinals.
Cilic converted only seven of his 21 break points against the Argentine, and he often wilted under pressure. He served for a 6-5 lead in the second set but double faulted at 30-30 and Schwartzman later broke. On set point, the Argentine delivered a 64 mph second serve but Cilic netted his backhand return.
The Croatian made 80 unforced errors, including nine double faults, and Schwartzman scraped through the three-hour and 23-minute match. The 25-year-old converted nine of his 20 break points and overcame his own nerves while trying to close.
He had to erase three break points in the final game to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time. “The last game was terrible,” he said. “In my mind I couldn’t play.”
After the match, he couldn’t stand. Once his forehand bounced in and hit the back wall, Schwartzman fell to the ground, arms and legs spread, and wearing a smile about as wide as his 5-foot-7 frame.
"I am a little bit surprised, but the last weeks I was playing really well. I did third round in Paris (Roland Garros) and quarters in Montreal," Schwartzman said. "I think my confidence, it's going up. I think in every match I can win. I am playing well and trying to be like this every match."
WHAT IT MEANS: At the start of tournament, Cilic had been the highest seed in his quarter, having taken the place of second seed Andy Murray after his withdrawal because of a hip injury. The Croatian then became the highest seed in the entire bottom half after fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany lost in the second round on Wednesday. Cilic was also the lone former champion in all of the bottom 64.
But with his ouster, 10th seed John Isner, who plays on Friday evening, is the highest seed in the bottom half, and 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta is now the highest seed in the Cilic's quarter, followed by 16th seed Lucas Pouille. No player in that half of the draw has reached a Grand Slam final.
"Sometimes if you have luck in the draw and you can take the chances, it's always good for the new guys or for the guys who are out of the Top 10," Schwartzman said. "I think many players are doing well this week, and they are taking the opportunities because [others] are injured... I think we are trying to take the chances and trying to go forward in the tournament."
But don’t count out Schwartzman in this Wide Open Open. A month ago, he was 0-13 against Top 10 opponents. But after beating Thiem in Montreal and Cilic on Friday, Schwartzman is suddenly looking like the type player no one wants to face in New York.
MATCH POINT: How far can Schwartzman’s run go in Flushing Meadows?
Venus cruises into fourth round.
WHAT HAPPENED: Venus Williams, the No. 9 seed, dashed Maria Sakkari's dream of reaching her first fourth-round match, when Williams defeated her in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Sakkari, the sole Greek representative this fortnight at the 2017 US Open across the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles draws, was bidding to be the first Greek woman to reach the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam since Eleni Daniilidou at the 2004 US Open.
But Venus thwarted the world No. 95 with her dependable serve, winning 75 percent on first serve. Both players danced at the baseline during rallies, with Venus clocking penetrating shots to keep Sakkari away from the net.
It wasn’t a particularly electric match – Venus posted only 10 winners to 24 unforced errors – but she managed to convert four break points to secure her ticket to Round 4.
WHAT IT MEANS: Venus is playing some good tennis.
She even says so herself: "To be able to win in straights sets shows I’m playing some good tennis."
At 37-years-old, the two-time US Open champion is the oldest woman in the draw. But age doesn’t equate to a decline. Instead, Venus is seeing a career resurgence, being the only woman this year to make it two slam finals – Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Next Venus will face off against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, a familiar opponent.
"She plays feisty," Venus said. "She makes shots all over the court."
MATCHPOINT: Will her 19th career appearance in Flushing see Venus win a third US Open title?
WHAT HAPPENED: Venus Williams, the No. 9 seed, dashed Maria Sakkari's dream of reaching her first fourth-round match, when Williams defeated her in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Sakkari, the sole Greek representative this fortnight at the 2017 US Open across the men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles draws, was bidding to be the first Greek woman to reach the Round of 16 of a Grand Slam since Eleni Daniilidou at the 2004 US Open.
But Venus thwarted the world No. 95 with her dependable serve, winning 75 percent on first serve. Both players danced at the baseline during rallies, with Venus clocking penetrating shots to keep Sakkari away from the net.
It wasn’t a particularly electric match – Venus posted only 10 winners to 24 unforced errors – but she managed to convert four break points to secure her ticket to Round 4.
WHAT IT MEANS: Venus is playing some good tennis.
She even says so herself: "To be able to win in straights sets shows I’m playing some good tennis."
At 37-years-old, the two-time US Open champion is the oldest woman in the draw. But age doesn’t equate to a decline. Instead, Venus is seeing a career resurgence, being the only woman this year to make it two slam finals – Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Next Venus will face off against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, a familiar opponent.
"She plays feisty," Venus said. "She makes shots all over the court."
MATCHPOINT: Will her 19th career appearance in Flushing see Venus win a third US Open title?
Querrey's all-court game firing on all cylinders.
WHAT HAPPENED: No. 17 seed Sam Querrey has secured his spot in the Round of 16, using a 134-mph serve to end the run of qualifier Radu Albot, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday evening.
The 6-foot-6 American out-hit the 27-year-old from Moldova, wielding a lethal serve that produced 18 aces on the match. But credit to Albot, who covered the court well enough to defend Querrey's big game and steal a set from him. In the end, the American implemented an imposing net game (he won 23 of 37 approaches) to match his baseline game (he finished with 49 winners).
Today marked the first time Querrey has lost a set this week, yet he weathered the storm with ease and proved that his resilience is sharp.
"This was my first time facing a little adversity this week, so that was a good test for me to get through," said Querrey. "He was playing great, you know, he's coming off five wins this week and he was confident and playing well. Once I got a break in the second, I was able to relax a little and I was swinging a little more freely."
Querrey had trouble connecting on first serves during the opening set, so it was only a matter of time before Albot saw an opportunity to break. The lone chance came at just the right moment, when a backhand shank off the American's racquet on double break point gave Albot the set.
Querrey righted the ship early in the second, cruising through in just 25 minutes thanks to an improved return game and fewer unforced errors compared to the first stanza. Down two sets to one in the fourth, Albot's game began to crack midway through the set, and a break in the seventh game was all Querrey needed to put a cap on the match and advance after two hours, closing out the final game at love.
WHAT IT MEANS: Querrey's advancement into the Round of 16 equals his best result at his home Slam. And though it's been seven years since he has reached this stage, he's put together a strong 2017 campaign that includes titles in Acapulco and Los Cabos, as well as a semifinal finish at Wimbledon, where he unseated defending champion Andy Murray.
This late surge in his career could prove fruitful for the No. 2 American, and he has coasted his way through the first three rounds only dropping one set.
MATCH POINT: Querrey's win sets up what could potentially be this year's first All-American clash on the men's side should compatriot John Isner win his match on Friday night. If this should happen, who do you think would have the edge?
WHAT HAPPENED: No. 17 seed Sam Querrey has secured his spot in the Round of 16, using a 134-mph serve to end the run of qualifier Radu Albot, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 on Friday evening.
The 6-foot-6 American out-hit the 27-year-old from Moldova, wielding a lethal serve that produced 18 aces on the match. But credit to Albot, who covered the court well enough to defend Querrey's big game and steal a set from him. In the end, the American implemented an imposing net game (he won 23 of 37 approaches) to match his baseline game (he finished with 49 winners).
Today marked the first time Querrey has lost a set this week, yet he weathered the storm with ease and proved that his resilience is sharp.
"This was my first time facing a little adversity this week, so that was a good test for me to get through," said Querrey. "He was playing great, you know, he's coming off five wins this week and he was confident and playing well. Once I got a break in the second, I was able to relax a little and I was swinging a little more freely."
Querrey had trouble connecting on first serves during the opening set, so it was only a matter of time before Albot saw an opportunity to break. The lone chance came at just the right moment, when a backhand shank off the American's racquet on double break point gave Albot the set.
Querrey righted the ship early in the second, cruising through in just 25 minutes thanks to an improved return game and fewer unforced errors compared to the first stanza. Down two sets to one in the fourth, Albot's game began to crack midway through the set, and a break in the seventh game was all Querrey needed to put a cap on the match and advance after two hours, closing out the final game at love.
WHAT IT MEANS: Querrey's advancement into the Round of 16 equals his best result at his home Slam. And though it's been seven years since he has reached this stage, he's put together a strong 2017 campaign that includes titles in Acapulco and Los Cabos, as well as a semifinal finish at Wimbledon, where he unseated defending champion Andy Murray.
This late surge in his career could prove fruitful for the No. 2 American, and he has coasted his way through the first three rounds only dropping one set.
MATCH POINT: Querrey's win sets up what could potentially be this year's first All-American clash on the men's side should compatriot John Isner win his match on Friday night. If this should happen, who do you think would have the edge?
Suarez Navarro survives roller coaster third round.
WHAT HAPPENED: It is no exaggeration -- one shot can change a match. So when Ekaterina Makarova saved break point with a backhand winner while down 6-1, 2-0 against Carla Suarez Navarro, and then proceeded to claim six of the next seven games, it appeared that everything was going the Russian’s way.
But the second-ranked Spanish woman in the world righted her ship, jumping out to another lead in the third set and not giving it back again, advancing to the fourth round of the US Open for the second year in a row, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in 101 minutes.
It was not so much that Suarez Navarro’s level faltered to allow Makarova into the match, but the 29-year-old raised hers.
After a sloppy first set littered with mistakes -- Makarova made 11 more unforced errors than she hit winners in the opener -- the match became far more even. The world No. 40 made just six unforced errors in the second set after the second game.
But when Suarez Navarro jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the decider, she would not get reeled in again. Makarova battled hard, forcing two deuces in an attempt to break back while down 2-0 and 3-1, but she could not get any closer.
The 28-year-old Suarez Navarro won 48 percent of return points in the third set, breaking twice to clinch the victory.
WHAT IT MEANS: It has not been an easy season for Suarez Navarro, who parted ways with longtime coach Xavier Budo, with whom she worked for 10 years, in July. But after a lackluster summer hard-court season in which her best result was making the third round in Cincinnati, Suarez Navarro is rounding back into the form that helped her to a career-best year-end finish of No. 12 in 2016.
It was not her first tough battle in Flushing Meadows, either. It took Suarez Navarro a lengthy two hours, 19 minutes to upset No. 29 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in three sets in the second round.
She will likely face No. 9 Venus Williams next. The American has defeated her in four of seven meetings, including twice at Wimbledon.
Friday's loss will sting as a lost opportunity for Makarova, who upset No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki in the second round. The Russian, competing in her 41st consecutive Grand Slam main draw, was attempting to make the fourth round in New York for the fourth time in five years.
While Makarova will have to wait until the 2018 for another crack at the singles draw, she remains the top seed in women’s doubles along with partner Elena Vesnina. The duo won Olympic gold last year and recently captured the Wimbledon title.
MATCH POINT: Suarez Navarro made her first and only US Open quarterfinal four years ago, losing to Serena Williams. If she plays Serena’s sister Venus in the next round, will she be able to exact revenge and reach the final eight in Queens for the second time in five years?
WHAT HAPPENED: It is no exaggeration -- one shot can change a match. So when Ekaterina Makarova saved break point with a backhand winner while down 6-1, 2-0 against Carla Suarez Navarro, and then proceeded to claim six of the next seven games, it appeared that everything was going the Russian’s way.
But the second-ranked Spanish woman in the world righted her ship, jumping out to another lead in the third set and not giving it back again, advancing to the fourth round of the US Open for the second year in a row, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in 101 minutes.
It was not so much that Suarez Navarro’s level faltered to allow Makarova into the match, but the 29-year-old raised hers.
After a sloppy first set littered with mistakes -- Makarova made 11 more unforced errors than she hit winners in the opener -- the match became far more even. The world No. 40 made just six unforced errors in the second set after the second game.
But when Suarez Navarro jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the decider, she would not get reeled in again. Makarova battled hard, forcing two deuces in an attempt to break back while down 2-0 and 3-1, but she could not get any closer.
The 28-year-old Suarez Navarro won 48 percent of return points in the third set, breaking twice to clinch the victory.
WHAT IT MEANS: It has not been an easy season for Suarez Navarro, who parted ways with longtime coach Xavier Budo, with whom she worked for 10 years, in July. But after a lackluster summer hard-court season in which her best result was making the third round in Cincinnati, Suarez Navarro is rounding back into the form that helped her to a career-best year-end finish of No. 12 in 2016.
It was not her first tough battle in Flushing Meadows, either. It took Suarez Navarro a lengthy two hours, 19 minutes to upset No. 29 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in three sets in the second round.
She will likely face No. 9 Venus Williams next. The American has defeated her in four of seven meetings, including twice at Wimbledon.
Friday's loss will sting as a lost opportunity for Makarova, who upset No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki in the second round. The Russian, competing in her 41st consecutive Grand Slam main draw, was attempting to make the fourth round in New York for the fourth time in five years.
While Makarova will have to wait until the 2018 for another crack at the singles draw, she remains the top seed in women’s doubles along with partner Elena Vesnina. The duo won Olympic gold last year and recently captured the Wimbledon title.
MATCH POINT: Suarez Navarro made her first and only US Open quarterfinal four years ago, losing to Serena Williams. If she plays Serena’s sister Venus in the next round, will she be able to exact revenge and reach the final eight in Queens for the second time in five years?
Muguruza shows no mercy in third-round rout.
WHAT HAPPENED: Two-time Grand Slam titlist Garbiñe Muguruza looked in championship form during Friday's third-round match against No. 31 seed Magdalena Rybarikova. Her strong service game, aggresive return game and attacking net game all came together seamlessly to give her the 6-1, 6-1 victory in just 61 minutes.
The No. 3 seed Muguruza showed no mercy against a listless Rybarikova in Louis Armstrong Stadium, and it was clear why she was crowned the 2016 Roland Garros and 2017 Wimbledon champion. Not only did she step in for a 66 percent win percentage on returns, she also showed confidence at net, winning 15 of 21 points there.
"I take every match as a final," Muguruza said after the match. "These first rounds against early opponents are very tough, so I just keep playing my best and hope for the win."
Playing like she was in the final was certainly key for the Spaniard. Muguruza came out of the gates swinging against the No. 31 seed, wielding an attacking return game that hancuffed Rybarikova up until the fifth game, when the Slovak got on the board 4-1 with a hold. But it was all she could muster as Muguruza swept the final two games to clinch the first frame.
After regrouping between sets, Rybarikova managed a break to begin the second but could not consolidate, as the world No. 3 took the next three breaks of serve to close out the match.
"I was expecting moments when she would play very good, so I just had to keep fighting," Muguruza said of the early second-set shake-up. It was the only hiccup the Spaniard had the entire match, as she faced a mere four break points and fired 14 winners to secure the win.
WHAT IT MEANS: Muguruza's win streak stretches to eight consecutive matches, spanning back to the beginning of her title run at the US Open tune-up in Cincinnati. Her place in the US Open round of 16 pits her against No. 13 seed Petra Kvitova.
In four previous attempts here, Muguruza had never passed the second round on the hard courts of Flushing. But with mounting confidence headed into the second week of the Open, her best tennis is yet to come.
MATCH POINT: Nearly two months ago on the grass courts of Wimbledon, Muguruza steamrolled past Rybarikova in their semifinal contest 6-1, 6-1 and went on to win the title. Could her identical result be an indicator of what's to come?
WHAT HAPPENED: Two-time Grand Slam titlist Garbiñe Muguruza looked in championship form during Friday's third-round match against No. 31 seed Magdalena Rybarikova. Her strong service game, aggresive return game and attacking net game all came together seamlessly to give her the 6-1, 6-1 victory in just 61 minutes.
The No. 3 seed Muguruza showed no mercy against a listless Rybarikova in Louis Armstrong Stadium, and it was clear why she was crowned the 2016 Roland Garros and 2017 Wimbledon champion. Not only did she step in for a 66 percent win percentage on returns, she also showed confidence at net, winning 15 of 21 points there.
"I take every match as a final," Muguruza said after the match. "These first rounds against early opponents are very tough, so I just keep playing my best and hope for the win."
Playing like she was in the final was certainly key for the Spaniard. Muguruza came out of the gates swinging against the No. 31 seed, wielding an attacking return game that hancuffed Rybarikova up until the fifth game, when the Slovak got on the board 4-1 with a hold. But it was all she could muster as Muguruza swept the final two games to clinch the first frame.
After regrouping between sets, Rybarikova managed a break to begin the second but could not consolidate, as the world No. 3 took the next three breaks of serve to close out the match.
"I was expecting moments when she would play very good, so I just had to keep fighting," Muguruza said of the early second-set shake-up. It was the only hiccup the Spaniard had the entire match, as she faced a mere four break points and fired 14 winners to secure the win.
WHAT IT MEANS: Muguruza's win streak stretches to eight consecutive matches, spanning back to the beginning of her title run at the US Open tune-up in Cincinnati. Her place in the US Open round of 16 pits her against No. 13 seed Petra Kvitova.
In four previous attempts here, Muguruza had never passed the second round on the hard courts of Flushing. But with mounting confidence headed into the second week of the Open, her best tennis is yet to come.
MATCH POINT: Nearly two months ago on the grass courts of Wimbledon, Muguruza steamrolled past Rybarikova in their semifinal contest 6-1, 6-1 and went on to win the title. Could her identical result be an indicator of what's to come?
Teen sensation Shapovalov rolls on.
WHAT HAPPENED: Denis Shapovalov shone brightly under the lights his first time in Arthur Ashe Stadium. On Friday afternoon, under brilliant sunshine, the tour's newest star didn't need to be nearly as good. His opponent, Kyle Edmund of Great Britain, was forced to retire with neck and back issues, down two sets to one.
After two tight and nervy sets, the qualifier Shapovalov coasted through the third and emerged victorious, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 1-0 (ret).
"It's never great to win this way," said Shapovalov on court after moving on. "It's very unfortunate, but I'm happy to be in the fourth round."
The 18-year-old lefty recovered from a shaky first-set loss and began stroking the ball more confidently, working over Edmund's more pedestrian backhand.
By the middle of the third set, Edmunds -- who is not normally an especially flexible or lithe player, began moving very tentatively and looking decidedly stiff on court. He received the maximum number of visits from the trainer to treat his neck before reluctantly abandoning the match.
Even in the truncated match, though, it was possible to see some of Shapovalov's ferocious talent. The young man whom John McEnroe labeled "the proverbial breath of fresh air" has an arsenal of whiplike shots and surprising power for someone of his wiry frame.
Shapovalov continued his strong serving and net play, registering eight aces, winning 80 percent of his first-serve points, and capitalizing on 76 percent of his ventures to net.
The risk-taking youngster, who elevates and launches himself into his shots from the baseline, possesses the kind of fan-friendly game that will continue to win him new admirers, especially if he can keep up this level of play and streak through the draw.
WHAT IT MEANS: The 18-year-old advanced to the fourth round of a major for the first time, becoming the youngest player to reach that stage at the US Open since Michael Chang in 1989.
Edmund and Shapovalov had split their two previous matches, with the Canadian winning their last encounter, a tight three-setter at Queen's Club in London.
The Canadian teenager, a former Wimbledon junior champion, started this third-round match slowly, spraying shots and missing his mark on serve.
"It wasn't clicking together," he admitted, but "I knew my chance would come."
With Marin Cilic's loss, the bottom half of the men's draw presents opportunities for many, including Shapovalov.
It's not too soon to say his chance has come.
MATCH POINT: Shapovalov next plays Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, the 12th seed, in the fourth round. Though the Spaniard is not your typical dirtballer -- he has won hard court tournaments -- there is little question that Shapovalov's draw presents the talented teen with a phenomenal opportunity to advance to the quarters or even beyond.
WHAT HAPPENED: Denis Shapovalov shone brightly under the lights his first time in Arthur Ashe Stadium. On Friday afternoon, under brilliant sunshine, the tour's newest star didn't need to be nearly as good. His opponent, Kyle Edmund of Great Britain, was forced to retire with neck and back issues, down two sets to one.
After two tight and nervy sets, the qualifier Shapovalov coasted through the third and emerged victorious, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 1-0 (ret).
"It's never great to win this way," said Shapovalov on court after moving on. "It's very unfortunate, but I'm happy to be in the fourth round."
The 18-year-old lefty recovered from a shaky first-set loss and began stroking the ball more confidently, working over Edmund's more pedestrian backhand.
By the middle of the third set, Edmunds -- who is not normally an especially flexible or lithe player, began moving very tentatively and looking decidedly stiff on court. He received the maximum number of visits from the trainer to treat his neck before reluctantly abandoning the match.
Even in the truncated match, though, it was possible to see some of Shapovalov's ferocious talent. The young man whom John McEnroe labeled "the proverbial breath of fresh air" has an arsenal of whiplike shots and surprising power for someone of his wiry frame.
Shapovalov continued his strong serving and net play, registering eight aces, winning 80 percent of his first-serve points, and capitalizing on 76 percent of his ventures to net.
The risk-taking youngster, who elevates and launches himself into his shots from the baseline, possesses the kind of fan-friendly game that will continue to win him new admirers, especially if he can keep up this level of play and streak through the draw.
WHAT IT MEANS: The 18-year-old advanced to the fourth round of a major for the first time, becoming the youngest player to reach that stage at the US Open since Michael Chang in 1989.
Edmund and Shapovalov had split their two previous matches, with the Canadian winning their last encounter, a tight three-setter at Queen's Club in London.
The Canadian teenager, a former Wimbledon junior champion, started this third-round match slowly, spraying shots and missing his mark on serve.
"It wasn't clicking together," he admitted, but "I knew my chance would come."
With Marin Cilic's loss, the bottom half of the men's draw presents opportunities for many, including Shapovalov.
It's not too soon to say his chance has come.
MATCH POINT: Shapovalov next plays Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta, the 12th seed, in the fourth round. Though the Spaniard is not your typical dirtballer -- he has won hard court tournaments -- there is little question that Shapovalov's draw presents the talented teen with a phenomenal opportunity to advance to the quarters or even beyond.
