Quick Served Day 8

Epic Matches, Busted Brackets, & More

Sep 01, 2025

Quick Served: Day 8 — Eight in, Eight to go

Andy Roddick is back to break down the first day of quarterfinal action.

He highlights who put on clinics Sunday night, the woman flying under the radar, and the instant classic between Barbora Krejcikova and Taylor Townsend.

Plus: a few Dumb & Dumber references, details on the (much-needed) Re-Draw show, and a look ahead to Monday’s matches, including the Gauff–Osaka blockbuster.

Don’t miss the full Day 8 Recap!

Watch or listen now!

*Results from end of play on August 31.

Primetime Recap

Welcome back to Flushing Meadows, Marketa Vondrousova. After missing last year’s US Open due to shoulder surgery, the 2023 Wimbledon champion pulled out a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 upset over No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina. Vondrousova is into the quarterfinals in New York for the second time.

To reach her first semifinal at the US Open, she’ll need to go through the defending champion. Aryna Sabalenka rolled Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the QF round for the fifth-straight year. The win also ensures she’ll hold her World No. 1 ranking, regardless of any other results.

Sabalenka holds a 5-4 head-to-head advantage over Vondrousova, including a win a few weeks ago in Cincinnati. Tuesday’s meeting will be their second in a major quarterfinal.

Novak Djokovic is into his 64th major quarterfinal and his 14th at the US Open. Djokovic has now reached this stage at every major in a year for the ninth time in his career, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most of any man or woman in the Open era. Djokovic called it his best performance of the tournament so far.

The No. 7 seed advanced past Jan Lennard-Struff, the 35-year-old qualifier who had upset No. 11 Holger Rune and No. 17 Frances Tiafoe.

The last American man in the draw is cooking. Taylor Fritz, the No. 4 seed, swept No. 21 Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his third straight US Open quarterfinal. The 2024 finalist is one-win away from reaching multiple Grand Slam semifinals in a season for the first time.

Though, he has an 0-10 career head-to-head record against Djokovic, including a loss in the quarterfinals of the 2023 US Open.
While Djokovic hunts down his 25th major, Fritz looks to end the American men’s Grand Slam drought.

Watch Andy's Day 8 Recap

Krejcikova Stuns Townsend in Epic Comeback

Barbora Krejcikova saved eight match points (!) en route to winning a thrilling match against Taylor Townsend 1-6, 7-6 (13), 6-3. In the 98-minute second set, Krejcikova saved seven match points in the tiebreak alone. By ending Townsend’s dream run in singles, the two-time major winner is into the quarterfinals for the second time in New York.

“Just four months ago, I couldn’t play or practice. I had a huge pain in my back and didn’t know if I’d ever be back. This is huge. I still cannot believe it.”
Barbora Krejcikova

The All-American battle between Jess Pegula and Ann Li resulted in Pegula, the No. 4 seed, reaching her eighth major quarterfinal. The 2024 US Open finalist closed out the match 6-1, 6-2 in just 54 minutes and will face Krejcikova on Tuesday.

Pegula is 1-2 against Krejcikova with all three matches held on hard courts. Though, the American has the lone win at a Slam, taking their match at the 2023 Australian Open.

Watch Andy's Day 8 Recap

Alcaraz Makes Grand Slam History

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach 13 Grand Slam quarterfinals. The 22-year-old beat Arthur Rinderknech 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-4 and has yet to drop a set all tournament. He won in style, pulling off an incredible behind-the-back shot. The No. 2 seed extends his current match-win streak to ten.

For the first time in his career, Alcaraz has made the quarterfinals at all four majors in a season. A title in New York would be his sixth major and would mark consecutive years with multiple Slam trophies.

Up next for Alcaraz is No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka, who beat 37-year-old Adrian Mannarino 7-6(4), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. Lehecka reached his first US Open quarterfinal and his second at a Slam.

Alcaraz holds a 2-1 advantage over Lehecka, including a win in the final at Queen’s Club earlier this summer.

Watch Andy's Day 8 Recap

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1 — Since the rankings were first published in 1975, multiple Grand Slam winners ranked outside the top 50 have reached the women’s singles quarterfinal at a major for the first time. (Vondrousova & Krejcikova).

2 — Taylor Fritz is the first American man to reach the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open in the consecutive seasons since Andy Roddick in 2003-2004.

12 — Aryna Sabalenka has made the quarterfinal round or better in 12 consecutive major appearances, the longest streak by a woman since Serena Williams' run of 16 straight from 2000 to 2005.