Sharapova run comes to an end

Maria Sharapova’s run in the US Open came to an end last night when she lost 5-7 6-4 6-2 to Anastasija Sevastova.

In an epic encounter, the seeded Sevastova bravely fought back after losing the first set to win a high-quality clash.

“The emotions are high,” she said after the game.

“Playing on Ashe (the Arthur Ashe court) is an amazing atmosphere, every time. It makes it fun to play here.

“The first set was very close, it could have gone either way. She played unbelievable throughout the first and second set and I just kept fighting, running every ball, and just stayed there. I wanted to close it so much.”

The Latvian 16th seed will face Sloane Stephens in the next round.

In the men’s event, Rafael Nadal had to fight back from a set down for the second successive match.

The world number one has struggled to find anything like his best form in New York so far and, after his struggle against Taro Daniel in round two, it was a similar story against lucky loser Leonardo Mayer.

The Argentinian took the opening set on a tiebreak and it was not until Nadal finally converted his 14th break point to lead 4-3 in the second that the Spaniard turned on the style.

Nadal won 16 of the final 21 games to clinch a 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 6-1 6-4 victory and a place in the last 16, where he will take on Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Roger Federer eased into the fourth round.

After five-set battles in his opening two matches, Federer only needed an hour and 46 minutes to dismiss Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-3 7-5.

The third seed’s movement was much improved and he made far fewer unforced errors as he set up a last-16 clash with German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Federer said: “I struggled the first couple of rounds, but that had something to do with my opponents as well. I played a very clean match tonight.”