Osaka consoles Gauff after triumph

DEFENDING champion Naomi Osaka consoled a tearful Coco Gauff after a crushing US Open victory Saturday in a showdown billed as “the future of women’s tennis” while Rafael Nadal cruised into the last 16.

World No. 1 Osaka overpowered 15year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-0 in 65 minutes to keep her title defense on track before sharing a warm embrace with an opponent overwhelmed by the occasion in New York. The emotional clash was followed by tearful on-court interviews, Osaka asking Gauff to join her with the microphone as they met at the net.

“It was kind of instinctive because when I shook her hand, I saw that she was kind of tearing up a little. Then it reminded me how young she was,” Osaka said. “I wanted her to have her head high, not walk off the court sad. I want her to, like, be aware that she’s accomplished so much and she’s still so young.”

Osaka next faces Swiss 13th seed Belinda Bencic, who was handed a walkover when Anett Kontaveit withdrew due to illness.

Three-time champion Nadal disposed of 170th-ranked South Korean qualifier Chung Hyeon 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Spanish second seed will meet 2014 champion Marin Cilic for a place in the quarterfinal.

Cilic, the 22nd seed, took out top US hope John Isner in four tight sets.

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev made it to the second week in New York for the first time after fighting past Aljaz Bedene 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).

Andrey Rublev beat Nick Kyrgios in three sets while 13th seed Gael Monfils is the highest-ranked player left in that quarter of the draw after he outlasted Denis Shapovalov in five sets.

Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu, seeded 15th, brushed past Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-4 to extend her best Grand Slam run. The 19-year-old, a winner at Toronto and Indian Wells this season, improved to 30-4 for the year despite missing much of the clay and grass portion with a shoulder injury.

American qualifier Taylor Townsend continued her surprise run after reaching the last 16 for the first time at a Slam. Townsend, ranked 116th, followed up her shock win over reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep by beating another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, 7-5, 6-2.

(AFP)