Righto, that’s it from us for today … but we’ll be with you tomorrow, and stay with you for the evening matches. Until then, though, peace out.

From the second game he felt really sharp pain in his rib so he was just hanging in there. He might’ve lost the first set – Cerundolo had chances – but the doctor gave him something magic that, from the third set, took the pain away, and he thinks he’ll need the same thing again.

Already this morning, it felt unreal stepping out on to Ashe, so winning a match on it is even crazier. Asked how he does it, he says he works hard and even though he’s had bad results, he knows the good times are always coming and this is one, so he’s going to enjoy it.

Blockx celebrates with his team, and rightly so. Not that long ago, he was prostrate on the ground, taking treatment, and now h’s taken the opportunity of a lifetime away from Cerundolo, who started in a temper then, when he calmed down, lost the big points. And here he is…

Rybakina reckons she played well against a tough opponent, thanking the crowd for the atmosphere. As for taking the world no 1 spot, hers if she wins her next match, she says of course she wants it, who wouldn’t. And that’s about it.

Elsewhere, Gea leads Van de Zandschulp 4-3 on serve, while Blockx is a game away against Cerundolo, up 2-1 6-5 – but also on serve.

Rybakina is just so chill out there, making 30-0 with no hint of nerves, then lashing an overhand forehand cross-court from the backhand corner for a clean winner. She raises three match points, and the rest of the field should pay close attention; this is every bit as ominous as Alcaraz’s undressing of Paul yesterday.

I think a problem Osaka has is she lacks a bit of variety – she can’t really chip and charge, nor crush and rush, so if she’s getting outhit from the back, all she can do is hope to play better. In comms, a bit more spin has been suggested, but I’m not sure she wants to sit balls up for an opponent with Rybakina’s power.

A tremendous return takes Rybakina to 0-30, it’s soon 15-40, and two match points; this has been an absolute clouting. But the first match point is burned with a backhand into the net, the second confiscated with a decent forehand down the middle. But when Osaka makes advantage, a a pair of backhands, the second hooked to break the sideline, restore deuce … then she closes out, forcing Rybakina to serve for it at 6-1 5-4.

The consistency of Rybakina’s power and depth is just too much for Osaka, who’s being denied angle and power. The consolidation is secured to 15, the lead 6-1 5-3, and I’d not be surprised if the match was sealed with a break.

Back on Armstrong, Blickx leads Cerundolo 2-1 3-3, while Gea and Van de Zandschulp have swapped breaks, the former up 3-2 on serve.

Oh dear. Two doubles help Rybakina to 15-40 and should she take one, it’ll feel like the match. And she does, Osaka a victim of her own unforceds; the world no 2 leads 6-1 4--3, just two games away.

A friendly net cord takes Osaka to 0-15, but four points in a row see Rybakina to 6-1 3-3, still by far the better, more confident player. She’s been really impressive so far today, not overhitting as she sometimes can but keeping things simple by hitting telling shots when they’re there or otherwise waiting for the error.

Gea’s shorts are so tight you fear they’ll do him a mischief – pic to come – while he and Van de Zandschulp are level at 1-1 in the first. Meantime, Rybakina makes 30-40 on the Osaka serve, only to net, and when the hold is secured through deuce for 1-6 3-2, the crowd holler in approval. Making an impression on return, though, is an entirely different samovar of marine life.

Osaka fight back from 40-0 to 40-30 … for all the good it does her, Rybakina holding from there to lead 6-1 2-2. Her forehand is such a joyous weapon, loose, uncomplicated and violent; it’s currently dominating the rallies so dominating the match.

Rude.

Wild applause as Osaka, down 1-6 1-1 30-40, nails a service winner for deuce, then secures her hold in impressive style. On Grandstand, Gea and Van dee Zandschulp have just started, while Blockx leads Cerundolo 2-1 2-1 and, in comms, they’re raving about his squash shot. As for me, I’m blown away by his fortitude and mentality – he’s pushing his body to ridiculous lengths but not in desperation.

Important hold for Osaka to get on the board in set three, then Rybakina strays wide with a forehand and, at 30-all, a sniff. Quickly conflicted, the world no 2 finding first serves when she needs them to level at 1-1 in the second having taken the first 6-1. Osaka does, I think, need to hit harder and flatter – more easily said than done.

Blockx earns a second set point, and this time, Cerundolo sucumbs to pressure, sending down a double. The young Belgian leads 6-3 4-6 7-5 and is within a set of his maiden grand slam quarter-final, not something I imagine he expected when arrived here. But he’s earned the posterior out of it, competing with pluck and intelligence; if he can hold his serve and hold it down, he’s a really goods chance of moving on.

An amazing forehand from Blockx, ripped cross on the run, has Cerundolo applauding , and it takes him to 6-5 30-15. And he then makes 30-all, so is two points from the set – not for the first time – then again at deuce, raising set point when he nails a return that’s too good. Meantime, Rybakina serves out for a 6-1 set; Osaka has a lot of thinking to do, because she’s barely participated thus far.

Rybakina is too good for Osaka currently, earning two break points, zoning to net, and watching her opponent dump a forehand. At 5-1, she’ll now serve for the set.

I complimented Blockx’s mentality earlier in the match and he shows it again, fighting back from 0-40 by playing his normal attacking game. He then moves through deuce and secures his hold to lead 1-1,6-5.

Blockx holds for 5-4 and makes it to deuce on the Cerundolo serve, but the Argentine shows good composure to hold, while Rybakina saves break point with an ace, then closes out the game with a forehand winner. She leads 4-1 in the first and, so far, looks in pretty good touch and control.

Two doubles and a forehand hit long help Rybakina to 15-40 … and a further double cedes a tame break. That’s very poor indeed, her lead now 3-1 in the first.

A confident hold from Rybakina, who’s swinging freely; on Ashe, Cerudulo and Blockx are now level at 1-1 4-4.

“Wow! Just wow!” begins Jim. “I think Zheng is fantastic, but I wrote her off earlier. I’ve now backed her at 40-1 to win it. She never knows when she’s beaten. Amazing player and role model for the future of the women’s game. Wow!”

I wrote her off too, but she did brilliantly – though I’m concerned by what happened to Swiatek. It’s hard to call it a slump when she won Wimbledon a year ago, but it’s two years since she took the last of her four French Opens, and mentally, she’s no longer impregnable.

Consecutive errors from Rybakina hand Osaka a start, but four cheap points follow and she leads 1-0, but Cerundolo and Blockx are level at 1-1 3-3.

It’s a hard match to pick but I’ve got to go with Rybakina because Osaka hasn’t won many of these matches since returning – she beat Sabalenka at Wimbledon, but that’s about it.

Rybakina, by the way, isn’t just trying to win this competition but to become world no 1. If she gets to the semis, she’s there, likewise if she doesn’t, but the trophy doesn’t go to one of Aryna Sabalenka, Jess Pegula and Coco Gauff.

Out comes Osaka, in a coat printed with a scene to look like a painting and topped with a fur collar; while that’s going on, Cerundolo breaks Blockx back to trail 1-1 2-3.

Brilliant from Blockx, who breaks for 3-1 in the third, sealing the advantage by winning another physical point, running to net and finding a clever angle to which Cerundolo couldn’t respond.

I couldn’t be more impressed with Blockx, who holds for 1-1 2-1. This is the biggest match of his career, so I don’t expect him to quit, but the way he’s maintained his composure and played with wisdom as well as guts, bodes well for his future.

Oh, and we’ll also soon have singles on Grandstand, Gea and Vn de Zandschulp ready to come out.

Siniakova/Townsend, no 1 seeds in the women’s doubles, have beaten Hunter/Krawczyk, meaning Osaka v Rybakina is imminent. Oooh yeah.

Cerundolo makes 0-30 on the Blockx serve, then nashes in to retrieve a net cord that, once he’s there he should get back … but cannot, the game levelled when he goes long with a lob. he does, though, make 30-40, the match now seemingly on his racket, but Blockx does superbly to stick in the next point long enough to win it at net before securing his hold. He’s in a fair bit of pain, making this a really impressive feat; he leads 1-1 1-0.

Cerundolo has this one worked out, I think, Blockx being set to corners to open up room for crushing forehands. He makes 40-15, slams a serve down the middle, and the desperate return soars miles from anywhere. We’re level at a set apiece, Blockx taking the first 6-3 and Cerundolo the second 6-4.

At 30-15, Blockx hits long, then Ceundolo forces him to run and stretch, not what he needs, and when he can’t get the ball back, the Argentine has set point. Credit where it’s due, though, Blockx has moxie and from there, he restores deuce, then secures his hold. Can Cerundolo serve out?

The rallies are getting longer, Blockx defending well, but Cerundolo wins a 21-shottter for advantage … to then overhit. But from there, he closes out a crucial hold, trailing 0-1 but up 5-3.

Cerundolo makes 4-3 but hurts himself diving, failing to prevent Blockx making 0-30 … then Blockx nets with a lot of space at which to aim, a potentially costly oversight. And even when he levels the game, he grimaces, before looking to go cross on the forehand, sending the ball wide … but Blockx, though he does well to stay in the rally, then goes long, looking hampered on the backhand side; deuce.

Yup, welcome Francisco. He breaks to love for 3-6 3-2 and given Blockx’s side-knack, this might be a definitive move.

Blockx isn’t serving at his usual pace but he’s gutsing it out, saving a break point in the process of holding for 2-1. He’ll feel he needs to get this one won quickly, and he directs a return at the tootsies for 0-15 as Cerundolo comes in, then does really well to keep the next point alive, scurrying about at net before succumbing. And from there, Cerundolo secures an impressive hold, enjoying a polite word with Mahut thereafter; at 3-6 2-2, he finally seems settled in the match.

A hold apiece to open set two and Cerundolo might just be calming down, his forehand starting to work a little better. He needs to get Blockx moving and stretching, but so far the majority of his aggression has been directed at Nicolas Mahut, his coach.

I mean just peep these first serve in play numbers.

A hold apiece, Blockx two up 5-3 in the first and Cerundolo a little less fractious. Neither man has ever made a grand slam quarter, so there’s a lot on the line, but the Argentine still can’t get himself going, a double helping Blockx to 15-40. And though he saves one set point, he then nets a forehand – the shot on which he relies and with good reason – the chance of a lifetime proving too much to process. Blockx leads 6-3, but he’s not happy with his body, asking for further treatment at changeover.

I was actually seeking snaps of Sinner’s day yesterday: he went to Monza, where his mate Kimi Antonelli came from the back to win, then to Turin to watch his AC Milan side concede an injury-time equaliser to Juve.

Credit where it’s due, this is a smart ad.

Worse then better from Blockx, who goes down 0-40 before fighting back to deuce. But Cerundolo plays a good point to make advantage, sending the ball form corner to corner, then dominates his advantage rally, the best of the match, only for Blockx to stop in it, until a netted forehand saves him. And Cerundolo, who’s been rucking with his coach since the start, scarcely improves his mood by burning a a fifth break-back point, jawing away when giving up advantage then sending an inside-out forehand wide. Somehow, Blockx consolidates for 4-2, and I’m not sure why, but Cerundolo is really struggling for focus and equilibrium playing what might be the most important match of his career; perhaps, though, I’ve inadvertently answered my own question.

After taking treatment prostrate on the court, Blockx is back serving at 3-2. A hold here would be huge for him – he’d never have thought he’d be leading playing as he has, but he is.

Oh, but Blockx breaks for 3-2, then calls out the trainer to look at his right arm and lat.

For those not so familiar with Cerundolo, he’s your classic clay-courter, playing with heavy over-spin, but with power which translates to grass and hards. He came from two sets down to beat Taylor Fritz in the last round and, not the best athlete on tour, I wonder if that’ll catch up with him. Blockx, meanwhile, isn’t moving all that well, perhaps carrying something, and they’ve both started poorly.; the score is 2-2

Our only live singles match is on Ashe, Francisco Cerundolo up 2-1 on Alexander Blockx. Osaka and Rybakina will be out on Armstrong after a women’s doubles match that’s not long since started, while Gea v Van de Zandschulp follows one in the men’s.

Qinwen Zheng, though; back from injury, then back from 0-5 down to win sets against two grand slam champions. Amazing behaviour, and she’ll face another major winner in the last eight, whether Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina.

Thanks John; I didn’t miss anything good did I?

Cerundolo breaks back in short order, neither player’s serve up to snuff. And with that, I shall hand back to Daniel Harris.

Peter Oh made a decent prediction: “I reckon the Belgian will be the fastest out of the Blockx.”

Arthur Ashe not so raucous as it was between Zheng and Swiatek, which became a match for the ages. It’s lunchtime in New York City, and that’s a serious business. It’s a manageable 27 degrees out there. Blockx, whose left leg is strapped up, races to 0-30 on his opponent’s serve. Then to a break point, and an instant break. Cerundolo’s serve was sluggish, very sluggish.

The action is back on Arthur Ashe, with Franciso Cerundolo up against Alexander Blockx in the men’s, it’s a battle of 24th v 26th seed. Cerundolo is at his furthest reach at the US Open, while Blockx, just 21, is in his very first visit to the tournament.

Mirra Andreeva spoke about Potapova’s unfortunate demise at the end of that excellent match.

“She’s my good friend, and, seeing her fall like this, it’s not easy, ‘cause I can’t imagine what she’s going through It’s not the way, obviously, you want to finish the match, or you want to see one of your good friends finish the match.

“So, I just told her that, you know, she’s been playing amazing so far, and now she’s been having one of the best seasons, and I’m sure that she’s gonna come back even stronger,”

Swiatek departs with a mournful wave of her racquet, and there are tears of disappointment.

Zheng speaks: “I start the match not so well and little by little I find my radar. I just focus point by point and I found my game … I try to play more aggressive and I try to stay with her as long as I could. It’s been a long time since I beat a top 10 player. Thanks to my team, we’ve been working really hard, that’s why I am here .. I just feel really punped for my next match.”

Zheng meanwhile, has her break, and Swiatek is on the ropes, and after being bamboozled by a net cord, is not happy when she turns to her coaches. They too, look a little shellshocked. Zheng holds, and is 5-3 up, and will have chance to serve out the match.

Andreeva is in sight of victory, at 5-3 in the third set, and Potapova takes a tumble at 0-15 down. She’s in some pain, and it looks like she’s strained a knee at the baseline. The trainer is out, trying to assess the damage. Potapova is laid down, and this looks serious, potentially the end of the affair.

Swiatek gets to break point on the Zheng serve, and there’s a sign of nerves from the Olympic champion, taking an age to restart but seeing out both break points. Then comes a 118mph serve, to take an advantage. A Swiatek backhand returns us to deuce, but then comes Zheng, almost as a reflex action, digging out a winner. We stay with serve as both continue to hold at 3-3.

Danger for Swiatek as a wild swipe sees Zheng proceed to break point, only for her speed around the court rescue her, and make it to deuce, and then Zheng splats it wide, and the hold is claimed. 3-2 in the second.

Zheng’s hitting has been fierce, when it’s Swiatek who is supposed to the power player. The Polish player clanks an attempted blast wide and thus we go to 2-2 in the second. This is only the second set but it’s been a long, attritional affair.

Andreeva goes a break up on Potapova, at 2-1 up, and trying her best to wrest control of the third, she goes to 3-1 up. The French Open champion has struggled but is battling her way towards the finishing line.

Zheng continues to hit the ball with fearsome abandon and Swiatek is struggling to live with that. It’s 1-1 in the second set.

Swiatek, at last, locates her nerve, and wins the first game of the second set. She seems to be rubbing hand cream as she takes a deep breath and gets ready to face the Zheng serve. 1-0 in the second, 0-1 on sets.

Andreeva has taken the second set 6-4, and they go into the third.

Zheng has done it! She wins the first set 7-5, repeating what she did against Madison Keys in her last match. An incredible turn of events.

Another revival act sees Andreeva lead Potapova 5-3 in the second set, just as it seemed the match was slipping away.

Zheng makes it 5-5. The bagel was on, and now the charge is on. Swiatek is at a loss. What’s gone wrong? The answer lies mostly in Zheng’s play though Swiatek is also complaining her racquet doesn’t have the right tension. Then follows a couple of double faults and Zheng will now serve for the set at 6-5 up.

Potapova is back in control over Andreeva, 3-2 up in the second set, having won the first.

Hello! Zheng’s revival continues, and it’s back at 5-3. When Swiatek steps up to serve, she’s taken to the wire, but lands a third set point when Zheng overhits. Still, she saves another deuce with another, dripping forehand. And then lands a break point, which is saved. Swiatek is in deep conference with her coaches, this is not going to plan as another break point is stared down. A wild swipe means it’s back on serve and Zheng has won four consecutive games.

Potapova fights back in the second set, hitting one beauty of shot on the way to a break point to level at 2-2. And she manages it when Andreeva was looking to go 3-0 up.

Gutsy stuff from Zheng, as would be expected, and she stops herself from losing the set by breaking back. It’s still 5-2, but there are signs of life.

Righto, I need to dash, so here’s John Brewin to hang with you for the next little bit; Potapova leads Andreeva 7-5 0-2 30-all, and Swiatek leads Zheng 5-1 deuce.

Andreeva goes down 0-15 then complains about spectators coming in once rallies are in progress. Then, at 30-15, she goes slightly wide with an attempted winner down the line … only to conjure a delectable drop, waved from above shoulder-height, taking her to within a point of consolidation. Potapova, though, makes deuce, two big forehands restoring it after Andreeva makes advantage. From there, though, the French Open champ closes out for 5-7 2-0 while, on Ashe, Zheng is starting to compete, holding to save the bagel then pushing Swiatek to deuce as she seeks to serve out the set.

Andreeva has advised herself. Before she was broken, she exchanged frantic gesticulations with her coach, but she comes from behind in the game to raise break point as Potapova loses focus, a booming backhand converting 30-40 into 1-0.

Yeah Zheng isn’t ready for the skill and intensity Swiatek brings to the court. Anisimova is an amazing player and her backhand is probably my favourite shot in the game, men or women, but she doesn’t have that nastiness about her – yet – while Swiatek is defined by it. She leads 4-0 and, in the time it takes me to write this post, holds for 5-0.

Excellent hitting from Potapova, who gets to 0-15 courtesy of a double, then unleashes on the forehand to make 0-30; Andreeva is under it. And she buckles, another double donating three st points … converted when a backhand flies a good foot long, at least. Potapova leads 7-5 and doesn’t she deserve it! This has been a performance of confidence and enterprise; Andreeva isn’t quite sure how to respond.

Potapova is wearing the pressure really well, holding to 15 and forcing Andreeva to serve for a breaker at 6-5. There’s a lovely abandon to her game: she’s come to attack and she’s not second-guessing herself, rather committing to her shots and getting good value for them.

On Ashe, meanwhile, Swiatek holds then breaks Zheng immediately for 2-0.

Excellent work from Andreeva, racing in to pick up a net cord and finding a decent riposte, eventually making 15-0 with an overhead. But from there, Potapova makes 15-30, only to go fractionally long with a backhand to end a terrific rally. Nevertheless, she remains two points from the set … but not for long, Andreeva quickly closing out for 5-5.

Back on Armstrong, we’re still level but at 4-4, Potapova playing with confidence and poise. She holds to 30, and Andreeva must now serve to stay in set one.

Zheng and Swiatek are out on court; Zheng, the Olympic champion, had to come through qualifying after missing time with an elbow injury, but two weeks of competition have brought her into the main event nicely loose. I’d be surprised if she finds a way to win here, but she did at those Olympics, so knows she can.

Potapova has made an impression on each of Andreeva’s service games and she makes 15-30 on this latest one. But from there, the hold is sealed, and these two good mates are playing a really entertaining match so far; it’s 3-3.

Now Potapova holds for 3-2, and we’ll shortly have action from Ashe too, where Swiatek and Zheng are due.

Again, Andreeva struggles on serve, but at 30-all, Potapova thwacks a return long. Again, though, when a second delivery arrives, she assaults it, a deep return facilitating a clean-up forehand, muscled inside-out from the backhand corner; deuce. But though Andreeva doesn’t convert her first advantage, she immediately earns another, sealing the hold with a service winner to level the set at 2-2.

Ridicuolous athleticism from Andreeva, sliding into net to make a volley, has Potapova applauding at 0-15. But she certainly isn’t at 15-30, when a net cord leaves her one to dispatch, only for her to unload the suitcase at a ball not requiring violence, overhitting by a long way to donate two break-back points. And Andreeva only needs one; Potapova leads 2-1 in the first.

And Potapova holds to 30. She’s never been beyond round four of a major – she’s fallen at that stage twice in Paris – and will know the extent of her task today. As if to underline the point, Andreeva opens with an ace, but a forehand winner makes 15-all and we wind up at 30s. Just watching this game, I think Potapova fancies tucking into her opponent’s second serve; she attacks one, then unleashes a murderous inside-out backhand, followed by a fore to the same corner – in the process raising break point. And, though she accidentally sends over a moon ball, Andreeva swipes her attempted winner wide and trails 0-2.

My predictions during this competition have been an absolute nonsense, and I fancied Anisimova to win the women’s event, but misguided or not, to beat her on a hard court requires a proper standard, and Potapova did it in straights. She’s serving first on Armstrong…

I can’t lie, part of me wondered if Andreeva would ever win a slam. Not because I doubted her talent, but because I feared that at some point in every major, she’d be out-hit by an opponent with a bigger but not necessarily better game. In the event, though, her preternatural grasp of the game is worth more than a few mph, the question no longer how but how many.