Andreescu, Sakkari power through

Bianca Andreescu of Canada returns against Greet Minnen (not pictured) of Germany during their US Open third round match in New York yesterday.

• Sixth seed Berrettini survives a third-round test from Belarussian Ivashka Greek Maria Sakkari broke down twice Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova’s defences 6-4, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the US Open on Saturday. The 17th seed relied on her powerful serve once again, winning all but one of her first-serve points in the first set and firing off nine aces in the match as she never conceded a break on Arthur Ashe Stadium. In the second set, her Czech opponent dropped serve in the first game but refused to go quietly, fending off seven break points — including two in the third game to hold her serve — but could not match the power of Sakkari, who struck 13 winners. “I think my serve was probably my biggest weapon today and of course playing in front of this crowd was unbelievable,” said Sakkari, who lost to Serena Williams in a fourth-round, three-set thriller a year ago in front of empty stands. She next faces sixth seed and 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu, who fired off 21 winners to make quick work of Belgian Greet Minnen 6-1, 6-2. The 21-year-old Canadian won nearly all of her first-serve points in the first set on Louis Armstrong Stadium with just four unforced errors, two years after she hoisted the trophy. The tournament has been a remarkable return to form for the sixth seed, who lost in her first match at Cincinnati last month and failed to get beyond the first round at Wimbledon or Roland Garros. “I’m very happy with my performance today,” said Andreescu, who missed the 2020 season due to injury and the challenges of playing in the Covid-19 pandemic. “It hasn’t been an easy past couple of months.” It was the latest triumph for Canada after 21-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime outlasted Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in a five-set thriller and Leylah Fernandez stunned four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, setting up a fourth-round clash against 2016 champion Angelique Kerber. “I’m super grateful to be a part of that group,” said Andreescu. Italian sixth seed Matteo Berrettini survived a third-round test from Ilya Ivashka to win 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, firing off 27 aces in front of an adoring Grandstand crowd.Alcaraz stuns Tsitsipas Late Friday, Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas too was ousted after Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz upset the French Open runner-up 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 0-6, 7-6 (5). Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka was shocked by Canadian left-hander Fernandez 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4 . “Honestly the Alcaraz match gave me motivation and gave me the energy to do the same,” Fernandez said. “I saw his match and I saw the way he won and I’m like ‘I’m going to do that next now.’” Alcaraz is the youngest man in the US Open fourth round since 17-year-old American Michael Chang in 1989. “Incredible. Incredible feeling for me,” Alcaraz said. “This victory means a lot to me. It’s the best match of my career, the best win.” American Frances Tiafoe sprung an upset, ousting fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-1 in a late-night encounter. Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open runner-up, beat Spain’s 74th-ranked Pablo Andujar 6-0, 6-4, 6-3. He will next face British 24th seed Daniel Evans. Matteo Berrettini of Italy celebrates his win over Ilya Ivashka (not pictured) of Belarus yesterday. (AFP)