17.48 BST
Wang manages to stay in the game but is behind 0:30. but four points in a row, the last of which is an ace, makes 5-5. This is more of a normal set now, where players forego getting broken and so on.
Updated at 17:48 BST
17.46 BST
E-mail! “Interesting linguistic observation about Muchova,” says James W. “‘Mucha’ means ‘fly’ in all Slavic languages, so Muchova means ‘of the fly.'” Here’s a radical prediction: Djokovich won’t reach the final. Carlos Escape From (etc. and so on) – does.”
Updated at 17.46 BST
17.44 BST
Wang’s forehand gets her into trouble again, it’s broken and Paul wastes two break points – also with a loose forehand. But then a careless throw-in gives him an advantage – and Shelton stretches for another volley… and this time he makes it. He plays like a classic youngster – and how miserable it is to legitimately call someone that – mixing great shots with nonsensical ones. He finishes 3:3; Muchova finds a love handle from somewhere to make it 6-3 5-4; and Cash/Patten break out in the second set and now play in the decider against Bopanna/Ebden.
Updated at 17:44 BST
17.36 BST
Wang fights on the forehand and Muchova on the back, but when the latter needs to save a point for the double break, he is there for her all the way. They go to the deuce and she holds 6-3 3-4 while Shelton is in the game against Ashe, making a break-back point and securing the game when a double comes; he is behind 2-3. His father likes what he sees in his box.
Updated at 17.36 BST
17.31 BST
My goodness, Wang breaks Muchova again as Paul consolidates and misses a lob to make it 4-0… and then when Muchova nets a backhand, Wang consolidates himself! In doubles they are currently starting with a breaker in the second set.
Updated at 17:31 BST
17.20 BST
Paul immediately breaks Shelton to make it 2-0 and Wang will get fed up and let Muchova break her back again.
Updated at 17:20 BST
17.17 BST
Paul holds on the first play of the game, while Wang Muchova breaks again to 3:6, 2:1; can it finally consolidate? In doubles, Bopanna and Ebden have now defeated Cash and Patten in the second set and are now leading 6:4, 4:4.
Updated at 17:17 BST
17.14 BST
Ben Shelton may only be 20 but he made it to the last eight in Australia and to get here he beat Cachin, Thiem and Karatsev, a pretty good achievement. He’s also left-handed, which won’t hurt him, and you may remember his father, Bryan, who was also a player. He and Paul are out on Ashe.
Listen, Ben Shelton is ready to play Arthur Ashe. Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Updated at 17:21 BST
17.11 BST
With Wang at the net, Muchova takes a backhand well outside the court and delivers a winner into space that gives her the breakback point… which she quickly converts. Wang just can’t play better than them long enough to get anywhere and is down 3-6, 1-1.
Updated 11/17 BST
17.06 BST
And now they are, while Muchova and Wang are still twosomes… but then Wang hits a return, backs it up with a booming backhand, and after a long game she has the break and is down 3-6, 1-0.
Updated 11/17 BST
17.02 BST
With the score at 6-40 and 0-0, Muchova knocks out a volley at 40-30 just to score the last bit. Then Wang gains an advantage on the deuce, but a big serve gets Muchova out of trouble, then Wang forces another chance and misses. This continues as Cash and Patten broke through on doubles in the second set after losing the first.
Updated 17.02 BST
16.51 BST
At 30-40, Wang finds the first serve and Muchova can’t come back, but a forehand gives her the advantage and this time she secures the set, hitting a short ball to crack a backhand winner to make it 6-3. Ultimately, there is a big class difference in the duel, and we also see that on the pitch.
Updated 11/17 BST
16.46 BST
With Muchova on set, Wang makes it 30-all, a double makes it 30-40… and Wang steps in with a second serve and hits another backhand to grab one of her breaks to make it 3-5. Your problem is what to do in all other situations.
Updated at 16:46 BST
16.41 BST
A great attacking change from Muchova, A forehand cross as Wang awaits the line gives her two break points… and she only needs one, a forehand winner that gives her her third break on spin and a 5-2 lead.
Updated at 16:41 BST
16.38 BST
Muchova makes 40-0 but two weak points, and Wang sniffs at 40-30, even more so as she faces a second serve… which completes a two-inducing double. From then on, however, an excellently executed overhead from behind is followed by a backhand winner cross-court straight onto the line, and that’s 4-2.
Updated at 16:38 BST
16.32 BST
Wang can’t commit to a net change with a player with hands like Muchova, but she does, trailing 15-30; A forehand winner follows, which is hit down the line. And Wang couldn’t withstand the pressure and netted tamely at the break point, leaving the score 3-2 behind. I expect Muchova to exercise greater care in her consolidation attempt this time.
Updated at 16:32 BST
16.29 BST
Muchova can’t beat everyone – That’s one of the reasons why her performance against Saba was so good, even though no one can perform as well as her – but she beats Wang, which means big problems. But as I type, Wang punishes a second serve with a big forehand to make it 15-30. Muchova responds with a beautifully disguised backhand drop, but a double hands over break-back point… which is quickly brought back by a return that flies wide. However, Muchova fails to close the ball through a tackle as it gives her the advantage, and when Wang offers a second serve to her favored backhand, she hits a too-hot return across the court and the return ends up in the net. It’s 2:2.
Updated at 16:29 BST
16.21 BST
While I’m trying to get the doubles, Muchova breaks Wang to make it 2-1 and she looks in the nod. I really like her clever use of spins and angles – more than Wang, I think.
Updated at 16:26 BST
16.10 BST
I didn’t mention that this is the preamble, but regular readers of this blog will be familiar with it Calv Betton, the trainer who provides us with insights and analysis. Well, his protégé Henry Patten is playing first in the men’s doubles round of 16 today together with his partner Julian Cash. Their opponents, Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, are seeded six, but let’s hope they get talking.
Updated at 16.10 BST
15.30 BST
preamble
Yo guys! And welcome to the 2023 US Open – day seven! It’s getting real, isn’t it? Ooooh yes!
We start today with one of this blog’s favorites, Karolína Muchová, whose brilliant performance in defeating Aryna Sabalenka at Roland-Garros suggests a player ready to take the next step. She may have lost in the final, but there’s no shame in being beaten by Iga Swiatek, especially on clay, and it’s hard to imagine her not finding a way past the unseeded Wang Xiyu.
Meanwhile, Ashe takes on Ben Shelton with No. 14 seed Tommy Paul. But it’s our second match that really catches the eye: Caroline Wozniacki returns from retirement with all the moxie that marked her first appearance… to take on Coco Gauff, the veteran prodigy now improving at an invigorating pace.
And there is much more! After Muchová against Wang, we meet Sorana Cirstea, who defeated Elena Rybakina, and Belinda Bencic, the Olympic champion who may finally be getting the hang of Grand Slam promotion. Francis Tiafoe – another who is beginning to get his talent under control – will then face Rinky Hijikata, the unseeded young Australian – before the day’s session ends with the brilliant Swiss teenager Dominic Stricker, who qualified and then beat Stefanos Tsitsipas , who takes over the number nine seed, Taylor Fritz. Let’s go boys!
Updated at 17:28 BST