Tennis Weekly · Passing Shot Productions

US Open R4 - Osaka is BACK, Alcaraz peaking in NYC, Swiatek - Sabalenka impress

·47 min·4 clips

A CEO's viral hat-stealing incident at the US Open sparks a public apology and global headlines.

Naomi Osaka's commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Coco Gauff headlines a dramatic fourth round at the US Open. Hosts Joel and Kim analyze the major results and unexpected stories from Flushing Meadows. They cover Osaka's resurgence, dominant performances from top seeds, and a viral fan controversy. Osaka secured her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since her last major title by exploiting Gauff's forehand, which produced 33 unforced errors. Iga Świątek advanced with a brutal 6-3, 6-1 win and booked extra practice time because the match was too short. Barbora Krejčíková saved eight match points in a 25-minute tiebreak to defeat home favorite Taylor Townsend. On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz reached his first major quarterfinal without dropping a set, while Novak Djokovic comfortably defeated Jan-Lennard Struff despite physical niggles. Felix Auger-Aliassime returned to a Slam quarterfinal for the first time in four years by beating Andrey Rublev in straight sets. Markéta Vondroušová defeated Elena Rybakina with 13 aces and 29 winners, showcasing her adaptability. The hosts also discuss Daniil Medvedev's split with his longtime coach, Gilles Cervara, following a first-round exit. A viral story involved a fan, Piotr Szczotarek, who apologized for taking a child's hat, mistakenly believing the player had gifted it. The episode reveals Osaka's first top-five win in six years and notes she has won the title every previous time she reached the US Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz joins Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal as the third youngest to reach all four major quarterfinals in a season. Aryna Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach all Slam quarterfinals in a year as world number one. The hosts speculate whether Krejčíková's comeback indicates another deep, unexpected Slam run. Joel and Kim maintain a conversational, analytical tone, blending match breakdowns with lighthearted tangents about player outfits and fan interactions. Their style is informative yet relaxed, featuring insider perspectives and predictions for the upcoming quarterfinals. Tennis enthusiasts who enjoy detailed tactical analysis and tracking player narratives will appreciate this recap. Listeners seeking in-depth interviews or off-court features might find the focus purely on match results and tournament news.

As heard by us

A brisk US Open Round 4 check-in, with Osaka, Alcaraz, Djokovic, and a sharp turn toward quarterfinal calls.

The episode tracks the US Open Round 4 picture without dragging its feet, following Osaka into the quarterfinals, Alcaraz and Djokovic through comfortably, and Kuchykova's escape after saving eight match points against Taylor Townsend.

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Why you'd press play

US Open Round 4 catch-up on Osaka, Alcaraz, Djokovic, and the quarterfinal push.

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