US Open Day 3 Takeaways: Novak in straights, and a dose of Wozniacki magic

Dominic Stricker makes his mark at the US Open

Switzerland sensation Dominic Stricker pulled off a “Top 10 takedown”  leaving World No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas shaking his racquet in disbelief. In a match that had more twists than a pretzel, Stricker claimed victory 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-7(5), 7-6(6), 6-3.

The 21-year-old qualifier, who’s experiencing the Big Apple for the first time, brought the heat and Swiss precision to the court during this four-hour, 10-minute marathon. Despite the humidity making everyone feel like they were in a sauna, Stricker powered through from 3-5 down in the fourth set.

Stricker summoned his inner magic in the final set, winning 83% of his first-serve points. He also finished the match with 78 winners. It’s like he found the cheat code to tennis domination. Stricker meets Benjamin Bonzi in the third round.

Speaking of Bonzi, the French wildcard crashed the American party, and No 28 ranked Christopher Eubanks’ dreams. Eubanks started strong, then got as sick as someone who ate too many French pastries. Bonzi seized the chance and won 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(7).

Eubanks fought like a trooper despite looking like he’d be wrapped in a blanket instead. Bonzi took the first set, but Eubanks notched the second. Yet in the third, Bonzi came back strong, while Eubanks made more unforced errors than someone faking French.

Eubanks battled back, forced a tiebreak, and almost pulled off a comeback. However, Bonzi had match points up his sleeve, and with a final “touché”  he claimed victory.