The 4th round kickoff with instant fireworks. There was a comeback from 2 sets down, a major upset and two of tennis top stars will meet up for a highly anticipated quarterfinals matchup. A full recap of day 7 before day 8 begins.
Alsan Karatsev def. (20) Felix Auger-Aliassime: 3–6, 1–6, 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
What a disaster for FAA. The young canadian was in the drivers seat and cruising through 2 sets. The announcers had all but written off Karatsev. Then came the all powerful bathroom break. It is some phenomena that tennis players need to use the shitter when they lose the first two sets. Karatsev must have taken a long look in the mirror, and FAA must have lost his focus in the short break, because it was all Karatsev after the dump. Just a remarkable comeback from a qualifier who has the talent but just can never put things together. This has to be a special feeling reaching the quarters.
Gregor Dimitrov def. (3) Dominic Thiem: 6–4, 6–4, 6–0
Although RBA retired early in the second set in the previous round, Dimitrov was hitting the ball extremely well. He had fresh legs and Thiem seemed drained from his 5 set comeback vs. Kyrgios. Dimitrov was relentless for the first two sets and never let Thiem settle in. And by the time the 3rd came around, Thiem was a beaten man. Dimitrov is currently playing some of his best tennis and has an interesting quarterfinal matchup vs the qualifier.
(6) Alexander Zverev def. (23) Dusan Lajovic: 6–4, 7(7)-6(5), 6–3
Zverev continues to roll. He has been a force through 4 rounds and a laboring Djokovic is going to have his hands full. It was a nice from Novaks countryman, Lajovic, but he just wasn’t able to hang with Zverev. Zverev vs. Djokovic is going to be guaranteed fireworks in the quarterfinals.
(1)Novak Djokovic def. (13) Milos Raonic: 7(7)-6(4), 4–6, 6–1, 6–4
Novak was coming into this match with an obvious injury from his round 3 tilt vs. Taylor Fritz. Milos Raonic was actually not much of an underdog at all according to Vegas before the match and I think people were ready to see a cink in Novaks armor. The worlds number 1 gutted out another win to move onto the quarters in what ended up being a tough night for Canadians.
