Demon dodges trouble to advance at US Open. Next up: the world No.435

Australia’s grand slam hopes rest with Alex de Minaur again.

The world No.8 – a five-time major quarter-finalist – lost a set for the first time at this year’s US Open and had to come from behind, but advanced to the last 16 when German Daniel Altmaier retired early in the fourth set while trailing 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-4, 2-0.

Altmaier, who won consecutive five-setters to advance to the third round, left the court for a medical timeout after escaping from 0-40 in the fifth game of the third set, before returning with strapping on his left thigh.

“I’ve got nothing but the most respect for Daniel. He’s a hell of a warrior, hell of a competitor,” de Minaur said.

“The guy spent almost 10 hours on court [in the first two rounds], and then was ready for a battle today, so all credit to him, and I wish him a very quick recovery.

“That first set kind of slipped from my hands. I told myself to knuckle down, stay focused, stick to the game plan, and if it goes for a long time, then I probably have more chances than he does. But I’m happy to be in the second week.”

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka ended Australia’s involvement in the women’s singles, defeating No.15 seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.

Former world No.1 Osaka, who skipped the 2023 season to have her first baby, is into the fourth round at a major for the first time since winning the last of her four grand slam titles at the 2021 Australian Open.

De Minaur’s reliability is evidenced in him reaching at least the fourth round at eight of his past nine majors, the sole exception being his second-round loss to Alexander Bublik from two sets up at Roland-Garros in May.

That form has helped entrench him in the top 10 ahead of an unexpected round-of-16 clash with 435th-ranked Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi, who is the lowest-ranked player to reach this stage of a slam since 2002.

It is a remarkably good draw for de Minaur after potential seeded opponents Karen Khachanov and Francisco Cerundolo departed in the second round.

De Minaur had to dig deep after looking to be in trouble as Altmaier played at a sustained high level in the first set and a half that belied his No.56 ranking.

The German has demonstrated in the past that he can upset top-10 stars, with Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berrettini among his scalps.

Neither player faced a break point in the opening set, but de Minaur went 3-0 ahead in the tie-break, only for Altmaier to largely control the set from there with big striking from the baseline. Altmaier secured a one-set lead on his third opportunity.

If that was not enough, de Minaur also slipped to 15-40 in the third game of the second set. He saved three break points to escape that game, but double-faulted for the fourth time in the set to also fall 15-40 behind at three-all.

The Australian somehow dodged a break once more, again staving off three break points before clinching a service hold with a superb inside-out forehand winner. At that stage, Altmaier was making fewer mistakes despite his aggressive shot-making.

But in line with de Minaur’s reputation, he found a way to snatch the ascendancy. Altmaier’s level dipped ever so slightly, and the man known as “Demon” pounced.

Statistically the tour’s best returner, de Minaur finally earned his first break point in the eighth game. He went 5-3 up with a lunging backhand volley that followed him dragging Altmaier out of court with a terrific cross-court forehand.

He quickly served out the set to level the match, and never let Altmaier back into the contest, including a slick drop shot securing him an instant break to begin the third set.

Kasatkina’s horror start

Kasatkina made a horror start against Osaka, delivering three double faults in her opening service game and eight in the first set as the Japanese superstar surged to a dominant one-set advantage in 23 minutes without conceding a game.

But Kasatkina, who gained permanent residency in Australia in March, warned pre-match she would not give in.

She had never taken a set off Osaka in their previous two meetings, but broke her rival three times to start the second set as she raced to a 4-1 lead in a wild swing of momentum. However, another twist was still to come.

With Kasatkina’s serve continuing to be shaky, Osaka blasted her way back into the set and reeled off three straight games to draw level.

Just as Osaka seemed poised to charge to a straight-sets win, she sprayed a forehand to hand over a fourth break for the set. Kasatkina blew consecutive set points before bringing up a third with a rare ace, then produced a second excellent serve that did not come back.

But for all Kasatkina’s doggedness, Osaka’s firepower proved too much.

The 2018 and 2020 US Open champion flayed 37 winners to the Australian’s 15 by match’s end, including 15 in the third set as she punched holes in Kasatkina’s defence. She broke for 3-1 and never relented.

Osaka next meets 2024 winner Coco Gauff in a blockbuster clash for a quarter-final spot at this year’s tournament.

“It’s been a really long journey, but I’m glad to be here now,” Osaka said. “It’s tough playing an American here … but I also see [Gauff] as a little sister, so it’s really cool to be playing her here again.”

Sinner escaped a perilous situation to overcome Denis Shapovalov in four sets, joining the likes of Lorenzo Musetti, five-set victor Andrey Rublev, Karolina Muchova and Ekaterina Alexandrova in making the last 16.

Watch every match of the US Open live and on demand on Stan Sport, with select coverage also available on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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