US Open 2024 day six: Putintseva v Paolini, Van de Zandschulp v Draper – live

Putintseva 3-6, 1-2 Paolini* (*indicates the next server)

Clever shots from both players, but Paolini gets the upper hand in this game at 30-15. The Italian seems to feel more comfortable in this match now, but Putintseva is still fighting, it’s a decent match! But Paolini lands an early blow here, she takes the upper hand and turns it into a break.

Putintseva* 3-6, 1-1 Paolini (*indicates the next server)

Paolini gets to 30-0, she seems much more settled on her serve in this set. She comes close to the net and hits it with her shot, she apologizes but also gets to 40-0. The Italian then seals a perfect opening service set for the second set.

Putintseva 3-6, 1-0 Paolini*(*indicates the next server)

Paolini takes a 30-15 lead in the first game of the second set. Putintseva has to hold on to prevent the Italian from gaining an advantage in this set – an advantage Putintseva needs to win. She looks to hold on, but she forces the ball out and so we are back at deuce. She gains the advantage, but she makes another error on her backhand, she is starting to look really frustrated with the amount of errors she is forcing. The advantage goes back to Putintseva, but she hits the net, she drops her racket in disbelief and waves her arms in the air. Putintseva is back in front, can she hold on now? Yes she can!

There is a real struggle between Goffin and Machac, but the Czech won the first set 6-3.

Paolini takes first set. Putintseva* 3-6 Paolini (*indicates next server)

Wow, what a way to open a serving game. A deftly hit drop shot, but she follows it up with a long shot, so we’re 15-15. A double fault gives Putintseva the lead in this game, but she slams her racket twice for making two faults, giving Paolini a set point. She gets it and screams with joy.

Putintseva 3-5 Paolini* (*indicates the next server)

We have new balls for this match. Paolini approaches the net after a rally and times it perfectly to throw a ball into the top left corner. A looping ball comes to Paolini and she blasts it past Putintseva, but the Italian is not having this match her way, the score is now 30-30. Putintseva screams as her shot hits the net, giving Paolini a break point. And she gets it at the first time of asking, this is great. She will now serve for the set.

Putintseva* 3-4 Paolini (*indicates the next server)

The crowd is really into this match and the referee has had to tell them to be quiet during the game. At 30-15 for Putintseva she seems to find a way to get into this set and she has great reflexes to return a shot and has a break point. But Paolini beats Putintseva in the right corner, Putintseva screams at herself for not returning it. But she wins the next point to break, what a fight this is.

Putintseva 2-4 Paolini* (*indicates the next server)

This is a great opportunity for Putintseva to give Paolini another blow, a hold here will completely negate her previous break. Paolini wants to maintain her lead and plays well to get to 30-0. Putintseva lobs the ball and Paolini jumps but can’t return it and another smart shot from the Italian makes it 30-30. This battle has really gone up a few gears as we head towards deuce again, Putintseva plays the right shot but there is too much power and Paolini gets the break! WOW.

Goffin is broken by Machac with the Czech leading 4-2 in the first set.

Muchova also has a break advantage and leads 4-3 in the first set against Potpova.

Putintseva* 2-3 Paolini (*indicates the next server)

Paolini throws a loose ball, but Putintseva does the same, 15-15. Another mistake by Paolini, but she corrects it with a beautiful volley, 30-30 here now. Putintseva roars with joy as she passes Paolini to get a break point, but the Italian completely controls the next point to take it to deuce. Putintseva gets the advantage and another break point, but Paolini fires the ball into the left corner, while Putintseva anticipates it coming to the right, deuce it is. Putintseva gets the advantage again, can she break this time? No, she can’t! A rally ends with a smart forehand winner and we are back at deuce. Putintseva gets into position again, but she can’t tighten the screw, she doesn’t get too many of these chances, so she has to take them. She has another break point and this time she takes it! What a point.

Putintseva 1-3 Paolini* (*indicates the next server)

Putintseva needs a clean hold to get a grip on this set. She wins the first point, but Paolini levels at 15-15, but Putintseva then races to 40-15, can she finish it? Not yet, a double fault gives Paolini a point, but then the Italian pushes the ball too far.

Putintseva* 0-3 Paolini (*indicates the next server)

Paolini controls the opening of the third game, but Putintseva finds pockets of great play, if she can be more consistent in her play she will challenge Paolini. This time, however, the Italian races to win the game.

Elsewhere, David Goffin leads 2-1 ahead of Tomas Machac in the first set. And Karolina Muchova and Anastasia Potapova are tied 2-2 in the first set.

Putintseva 0-2 Paolini* (*indicates the next server)

Putintseva’s serve is good but she sends a return out, a great forehand winner from Paolini and Putintseva then hits the net to give Paolini a break point. She doesn’t take it the first time she asks and she can’t the second time either with a well worked point from Putintseva to take it to deuce. She gets the advantage after Paolini hits the net, Putintseva then slips and almost does the splits on the return that goes out – deuce we go again. Deuce and back as these two line up in this game and Paolini then gets her first advantage and she seals it to break.

Putintseva* 0-1 Paolini (*indicates the next server)

We’re underway in this one and Paolini serves first. Putintseva’s return of the first serve is out and a drop shot lands in the net, Paolini starts the game perfectly – racing to a 40-0 lead in the first game. She then pushes a shot too far to give her opponent some light in this game. Then Putintseva has some absolutely stunning tennis to send Paolini marching down the court to make it 40-30, but the Italian then seals it.

The ball people are holding a towel in one hand and scraped the rest across the floor to get rid of the water that had gotten on the track before the roof was closed.

The duo is warming up.

There have been some shocks at the US Open this year and another was delivered yesterday with Novak Djokovic knocked out by Alexei Popryn. Read the report below:

There is a slight delay until the start of the match, while they close the roof because it is a rainy day in New York.

First and foremost we will focus on Jasmine Paolini’s match against Yulia Putintseva. I will also bring you all the updates from the other courts!

The duo are now preparing to leave.

Preamble