Karen Khachanov is into the US Open semi-finals, but the story on Arthur Ashe ended with a wince, not a winner.
Across the net, Alexander Blockx finally had to listen to his body. Midway through the third set, the 21-year-old Belgian walked to the net, offered his hand, and called time on a breakthrough fortnight that had pushed him to the edge physically.
“Blockx has nothing left,” Nick Lester said as the two men shook hands. It was harsh in its simplicity, but it was true.
Blockx’s brave stand ends in pain
By the time he retired, Blockx was running on fumes and adrenaline. The blisters were visible. The back had already been treated multiple times. A rib issue had reportedly travelled with him into the match. Every changeover brought fresh work from the physio, yet he kept coming back out, shoulders set, eyes fixed on Khachanov.
This was his main-draw US Open debut. He had barged into the quarterfinals at 21, playing fearless tennis and collecting a few believers along the way.
Robbie Koenig was one of them.
“He’s had some great wins, played some mesmerising tennis, especially against Flavio Cobolli,” Koenig said in commentary. “We are going to see a lot more of this young man in the years to come – fingers crossed that he can stay healthy for long periods of time.
“He’s got such an exciting game, he's got such a great attitude out on the court and he's got a big time mentality.”
For a while, that mentality kept the contest alive. Even at 1-1 in the third set, with Khachanov having pocketed the second and closing in on the last four, Blockx refused to limp through points or gift cheap errors. He still chased, still swung, still tried to make the ball talk.
But the clock was ticking.
“It’s looking ominous for the Belgian on his US Open debut. It’s been a memorable one, but the clock is ticking,” Lester observed as another medical timeout was called for more work on the back between sets.
From the commentary box, Jelena Dokic could see the internal battle as clearly as the taped-up body.
“We can see what a great competitor he is … I give him so much credit for continuing competing because he doesn't want to retire and he wants to stay out here on the court and finish the match,” she told Nine.
Then came the harder truth.
“But then if you've got this many injuries and depending on also what they are, especially the rib as well … you've got to think, ‘can I do more damage here as well?’”
Dokic framed it not just as a single match decision, but as a statement to the rest of the tour.
“He’s showing incredible competitive spirit. This also actually sends a big message to the locker room as well – everyone is always watching.
“He's going to stay out there, that he's a great competitor. He's just 21! To stay out here and keep playing is an incredible effort.”
In the end, courage met its limit. Khachanov advanced, but Blockx left New York with something more lasting than a scoreline: a reputation.
A night that went on and on
While Khachanov moved on, another conversation was already swirling around the US Open – one about the clock, and how late is too late.
New USTA chief executive Craig Tiley has promised a hard look at scheduling after the tournament produced its latest-ever finish. On Wednesday (AEST), Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton didn’t hit a ball until after 11pm local time. Shelton’s winning ace landed at 3.33am.
Tiley, who stepped into the role after a long stint running Tennis Australia and the Australian Open, pointed out that the schedule had been stretched to breaking point by a perfect storm of epics.
All four matches in the day session went the distance. Three of them needed a 10-point deciding tiebreaker.
“If you look back at schedules, you don't get that ever. So that was particularly special,” he told Stan Sports.
“The stadium was full. Everyone was loving it. We had people watching from all around the world. It was a great time for many people – not necessarily for everyone having to stay up here late and watch it – but it’s just one of those things.
“One thing we always do at the end of every event, we have a look and see what's worked best. Scheduling is also on that list. We'll always look at our options.”
The numbers told the story of a day that simply refused to end.
Aryna Sabalenka edged Linda Noskova 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) in 2 hours 22 minutes. Then Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen tore into each other for 4 hours 39 minutes, Tiafoe coming back from two sets down and from Michelsen serving for the match.
The night session started almost two hours behind. When it finally did, Jess Pegula needed 2 hours 21 minutes to turn around her clash with Emma Navarro, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Only then did Alcaraz and Shelton step into the glare, producing a five-set thriller of their own: 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in 4 hours 28 minutes. The kind of match that defines careers – and wrecks sleep patterns.
Gauff channels Tiafoe’s fight
One night later, the echoes of Tiafoe’s escape were still bouncing around Arthur Ashe. Coco Gauff heard them loudest.
Up against Mirra Andreeva, Gauff dropped the first set and stared down match points in the second-set tiebreak. She looked flat, out of rhythm, and under siege.
Then she thought of Tiafoe.
“I came out not feeling the ball, giving her too many free points, and Mirra is playing at a great level,” she said in her courtside interview.
“To be honest I was thinking about Frances Tiafoe and how he came back yesterday. We all want to do well in front of this crowd.
“I was just trying to leave this court with no regrets, I didn’t know how the outcome would go, but really, really thank you to you guys. You really pulled me through.”
Gauff flipped the script, clawed her way into a third set and finished the job, feeding off a crowd that had already dragged Tiafoe back from the brink once this week. She now faces newly-crowned world No.1 Elena Rybakina in the semifinals on Friday (AEST).
A new No.1 rises
The WTA has a new name at the top of the rankings board.
Aryna Sabalenka’s remarkable 99-week reign as world No.1 is over. Since Ash Barty’s sudden retirement in 2022, only Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have owned that position. On Monday, the baton passes again.
Elena Rybakina secured the top spot by beating Qinwen Zheng in three sets this morning, locking in the ranking even with Sabalenka still alive in the tournament.
“It’s just a number right now and of course I’m in the semis so my goal is to win the tournament,” Rybakina said.
“It’s an amazing achievement but you know how quick everything can change in tennis, ranking-wise, during the match, so I feel like I just need to focus on my game, try to recover and enjoy tomorrow.”
A young Belgian limping out of his first US Open quarterfinal. A governing body wrestling with the cost of late-night marathons. A teenager drawing strength from a compatriot’s miracle comeback. A new No.1 stepping into the spotlight.
New York is demanding a lot from its players this fortnight. The ones who can keep standing – and keep swinging – will define where this wild hardcourt season goes next.
