Izuchukwu OkosiThe battle for places in the US Open quarterfinals will continue on Monday after Sunday’s action headlined by the victory of American young sensation Coco Gauf over veteran Caroline Wozniacki.
From a break in the final set, Gauff rallied to defeat her adversary 3-6 6-3 1-6 and shot into the quarterfinals.
The momentum had swung back and forth but ultimately Gauff took her chan2ces in the final set as the match ebbed and flowed with momentum shifts in both directions.
“It’s like she’s never left,” said Coco Gauff of her opponent Caroline Wozniacki whom she called “an inspiration” during her on-court interview as the latter made a comeback to the sport after a period of absence due to childbirth.
The American crowds have not witnessed a home player win the tournament since Sloane Stephens in 2017.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus had swatted aside France’s Clara Burel to power into the last 16 of the US Open on Saturday.
Sabalenka — who defeated Burel in straight sets at the same stage of the tournament last year — once again had too much power for 62nd-ranked Burel, winning 6-1, 6-1 in a 60-minute masterclass.
The Belarusian right-hander will now face either Russia’s Daria Kasatkina or Belgium’s Greet Minnen today (Monday) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka, who achieved a breakthrough maiden Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open earlier this year, could replace Poland’s Iga Swiatek at the top of the world rankings if she betters her rival’s performance in New York.
Iga Swiatek, following up one of the greatest seasons ever, after 75 consecutive weeks on top, will find herself No.2 after she lost a fourth-round match Sunday at the US Open to Jelena Ostapenko.
In the games to hold on Monday in New York, Jack Draper, Britain’s last singles player in the tournament, will take on Andrey Rublev for a place in the quarter-finals.
Also in action is defending men’s champion and top seed Carlos Alcaraz with Aryna Sabalenka and Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in the women’s draw.
Also in the women’s section, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys will face each other in an all-American clash.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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