Teenager Denis Shapovalov finally beaten at US Open

The Spanish world No. 68 Pablo Carreno Busta beat the 18-year-old qualifier 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) on Sunday to progress to his second career quarterfinal where he will face Diego Schwarzmann of Argentina, after he beat Frenchman Lucas Pouille 7-6 (3), 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.

Shapovalov has impressed throughout this tournament and he did again here, but his opponent’s experience showed in the key moments. Shapovalov took a 5-2 lead in the first set but Carreno Busta remained calm to pull back to 5-5 before ultimately taking the lead.

Shapovalov also raced into a 3-0 lead in the third set but by this time he was already two sets down and, once again, Carreno Busta was able to rely on his young opponent’s propensity to make mistakes.

Overall, Shapovalov made a total of 55 unforced errors but will take a lot of positives from his confident displays at Flushing Meadows and vowed to return even stronger next year. 

"My favorite memory was today, the sound, the roar of the crowd when I went to applaud them," he said. "They were all screaming. It was so loud and it was a great moment for me. It really has a special place in my heart. New York will always have a special place for me. Hopefully I can come back here for many more years and just try to do some damage."

Sharapova out, Kvitova marches on

Meanwhile, the Russian Maria Sharapova, returning after a 15-month doping ban, lost in the fourth round to Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

The 30-year-old former world No. 1, whose five Grand Slam titles include the 2006 US Open, lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to Sevastova, who plays American Sloane Stephens in Tuesday's quarterfinal.

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova advanced to the quarterfinals eliminating Spanish third seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. The 13th-seeded Czech left-hander will play for a semifinal spot on Tuesday against seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams.

mf/jbh (afp, dpa)