US OPEN: Young guns fire on all cylinders

NEW YORK, September 6

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Young guns Carlos Alcaraz and Leylah Fernandez continued to impress at the US Open on Sunday, the teenagers storming into the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time.

Alcaraz, 18, beat Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-2 6-0 to become the youngest men’s player in the professional era to reach the US Open quarterfinals.

Fernandez, who upset defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round, took down 2016 winner Angelique Kerber 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2. Fifth seed Elina Svitolina knocked out Simona Halep 6-3 6-3.

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka beat her former doubles partner Elise Mertens 6-4 6-1 to move into the quarters. She will be up against Barbora Krejcikova, who overcame breathing difficulties to beat twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza 6-3 7-6(4). Daniil Medvedev beat Briton Dan Evans 6-3 6-4 6-3. — Reuters