Querrey The Last American Standing

Sealed with an ace. Sam Querrey relied on his biggest weapon to secure his place in the Round of 16 at the US Open on Friday, overcoming Radu Albot 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

The American launched 49 winners, including 19 aces, to prevail after two hours and seven minutes. He will feature in the second week at his home Grand Slam for the first time since 2010, matching his best result.

Albot, who was appearing in his first Grand Slam third round, streaked to an early lead with a break for the opening set at 6-4. But Querrey’s response was quick and swift, breaking immediately to open the second and once more in the third and fourth sets. The 29 year old notched just his second victory from a set down at the US Open and first since 2012 (d. Lu in four).

“The shadows were really tough the first 90 minutes,” Querrey said. “That made things a little tricky to see the ball and really settle in. Once I broke him in the first game of the fourth, I played a lot better from there. It was a fun four-setter. I think it was good to face a little adversity there. Had to battle in a couple service games in the fourth set. Overall I felt pretty good.”

It marks the third straight year in which an American has reached the Round of 16 at Flushing Meadows, following successful fortnights by John Isner and Donald Young in 2015 and Jack Sock in 2016.

“I feel like I always had this level, but it’s just better now,” Querrey added. “All around, I’m recognizing the opportunities to move forward. My backhand is definitely better. I feel like my return is a lot better. I feel like my intangibles are a little better. I just feel like every part of my game is a little more complete now.”

Querrey will vie for his 50th Grand Slam match win when he faces Mischa Zverev next. The big-hitting California native is rolling through the second half of the season, playing the best tennis of his career behind a 15-3 record since the start of Wimbledon. A semi-finalist at the All England Club and champion at the ATP World Tour 250 in Los Cabos, Querrey is in position to make a charge in the Emirates ATP Race To London. He is currently in 10th position.

Zverev denied an all-U.S. encounter in the fourth round, defeating top American John Isner 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(5) in the nightcap on Friday. The German struck 34 winners and just seven unforced errors to reach the fourth round in New York for the first time. He first arrived at the US Open in 2006 and 11 years later, Zverev will make his debut in the second week.

The 30 year old had spent six hours, 17 minutes on court in his first two matches, claiming back-to-back five-set marathons. His third-round victory was far more efficient. The German executed his aggressive serve-and-volley gameplan perfectly on a brisk Friday evening in New York. Zverev would close out the first set in 30 minutes after capturing a break in the ninth game and after conceding a break for 4-3 in the second, Isner received a medical timeout for treatment on his neck.

Zverev was not rattled by the stoppage in play, earning the shot of the match with a stunning reflex volley to deny a blasted Isner mid-court forehand. The ball landed smack on the line. Two games later, a second serve return winner gave him a two-set lead. Isner had his chances in the third set, earning two break points at 3-all with a backhand pass, but Zverev turned aside both and would eventually advance in the ensuing tie-break.