Serena’s last stand, rise of Draper and long nights

BEST WOMEN’S MATCH

IT had to be Serena Williams. Her last stand against Ajla Tomljanovic saw her reach a level in the second set that was phenomenal for someone approaching 41, before she ran out of puff.

BEST MEN’S MATCH

CARLOS ALCARAZ showed there will be life after the Big Three with a series of stunning late-night contests. The pick was his quarter-final against fellow young gun Jannik Sinner. The tournament was studded with excellent men’s matches, another being the clinical takedown of defending champion Daniil Medvedev by Nick Kyrgios.

THE SERENA EFFECT

SHE dominated the whole of the first week, pulling in record crowds and viewing figures, underscoring that she will be irreplaceable. Not for the first time, however, her favourable treatment rankled. Opponents were disrespected by having to walk on court and sit there while a video montage celebrated ‘Greatest of All Time’, as if this was a matter of fact, rather than conjecture.

NON-EVENT

THE trial allowing coaching from the stands is one of those half-baked rules in which the tennis authorities specialise. Restrictions mean it does not enhance the quality of the matches, nor the experience of fans and viewers, while undermining one of the sport’s fundamentals — that players have to figure things out for themselves.

THE BRITS

THE standout performance came when Jack Draper (below) dismantled world No 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime. What a prospect the 20-year-old looks, provided he can keep body and soul together. An honourable mention for Harriet Dart, who beat top-tenner Daria Kasatkina.

TV TIMES

IT is no wonder Amazon Prime are considering ditching tennis. Games get ever longer, with even doubles sets taking over an hour. No attempts are made to reduce dead time and the scheduling is ludicrous, putting matches involving talents such as Alcaraz at times when nobody beyond hardcore fans will watch.

EDGIEST MOMENT

UKRAINIAN players still struggle to co-exist with Russians and Belarusians. Marta Kostyuk warned Victoria Azarenka that she would refuse to shake hands with her prior to their second round, and when they met at the net there was just a cursory racket tap.

Appetite for success: Iga Swiatek savours her US Open final win over Ons Jabeur

MOST UNUSUAL COMPLAINT

NICK KYRGIOS in his second round objecting to the smell of weed in a city where its use has become liberalised.

TRENDS AND THEMES

SOMETIMES the worst-organised Grand Slam of the four produces the best tennis. Even with a big transition coming in terms of star personnel there was enough to suggest the sport will regenerate, but innovation is needed.