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Kohlschreiber set for Federer challenge after simple win

September 2, 2017

Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber breezed past John Millman to join compatriot Mischa Zverev in the last 16 on Saturday. The 33-year-old has never been further at the US Open but will face a tough challenge next.

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USA 2017 US Open Tennis Grandslam | Philipp Kohlschreiber
Image: Getty Images/Elsa

Kohlschreiber fell a break behind early in the opener but roared back to win 7-5 6-2 6-4. His reward for a comprehensive victory is somewhat dubious, he'll play the resurgent Roger Federernext, after the Swiss great beat Feliciano Lopez in straight sets. Federer's great rival rafael Nadal also made the last 16 with a 4 set win over Argentinian Leonardo Mayer.

It is the fourth time that Kohlschreiber, ranked 37 in the world, has reached the fourth round stage at Flushing Meadows since 2012. 

"This is my favorite tournament," the Davis Cup veteran said after his win. "It's always a great atmosphere and now it's my goal to get to the quarterfinals."

Thiem looking to break cycle

Alexandr Dolgopolov is into the fourth round of the tournament for the first time in six years after he hammered Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 in a match that lasted just 1 hour, 22 minutes.

The Ukranian, who is at the center of match fixing allegations following a loss at a tournament earlier this month, looks set to meet Rafael Nadal in the next round.

Sixth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem was another man to enjoy a straight sets win, with his 7-5 6-3 6-4 victory over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, booking him a fourth-round spot.

The 23-year-old has reached the fourth round in his last five grand slams, starting with the 2016 US Open, but has progressed past that stage only once, reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.

One man who won't be going any further is Italian Fabio Fognini. He was kicked out of the tournament for making foul-mouthed, misogynistic comments to a female umpire in his first-round match. He's now been banned from competing in the doubles tournament too.

Pliskova progress

In the womens draw, world number one Karolina Pliskova advanced by rallying to defeat China's 27th-seeded Zhang Shuai 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

"I was match point down and I thought I haven't tried many forehand winners down the line. That's what I did. I may not have got another chance," said the 25-year-old. "She got tight at the end of the second set, so I just waited for my chances."

The top-seeded Czech, who rescued a match point in the 10th game of the second set, will next face either American Jen Brady or Romania's Monica Niculescu.

 

mp (Reuters, SID)