That’s us for here, though, so thanks for your company and what a match we had bestowed upon us. If we see nothing better in the next two weeks we’ll still have done well – but we know we will. Peace.

You might’ve been thinking we’re leaving you bereft for the evening dig … nah. Click here, where Bryan Armen Graham will chill with you through the next bit.

Righto, before we knock this on the heed, updates: Moutet has just levelled at 1-1 against Korda (16); Fernandez (23) and Potapova are 4-4 in the third; Sherif and Pliskova are 5-5 in the third; Duckworth has just levelled at 1-1 against Cobolli (31); and that’ll do.

He felt he was gone at 0-4 and felt sorry for himself, but he didn’t want to go out with a whimper after such a long match, he could see Khachanov was struggling a bit. He served badly because of his body and now he’s got a headache that needs getting rid of.

He’s had a tough year but he got a bit of luck with Khachanov hurting and told it’s the longest match ever in the competition, he notes that at 4-2 the crowd really started to get going. They sensed he could do it and it didn’t help his opponent, so he’s grateful for that – it felt like the crowd was full of Brits.

What’s mad about Evans winning from 0-4 is that he did it against Khachanov, owner of one of the game’s most vicious serves. But enough from me, here he is:

Ach, and a violent, spiteful forehand saves a second match point! Khachanov isn’t giving this up!

Another horrible, beautiful rally, Khachanov coming in to pick up a drop for 15-40.

Are you kidding me?! A forehand winner pulled cross earns Evans 0-15, and he has unleashed some frankly absurd winners in this set … and there’s another! Are we really experiencing this? Evans is two points away … not he is not! he runs down a drop, flips a winner down the line, and DANIEL EVANS HAS THREE MATCH POINTS!

From 30-0 Khachanov gets to 30-40, but Evans sends a brave serve out wide and it’s too good. From there, he closes out beautifully, a hooked forehand winner sealing the deal, leads 5-4 in the fifth, and this is now the longest match in tournament history, above the Edberg - Chang semi in 1992! I cannot overstate how jiggered Evans looked earlier, like he’d not slept in 492 years, but sportsfolk are different to the rest of us and Khachanov will no serve to stay in the match! That is not a misprint!

Khachanov goes long! Evans has miraculously revived from 0-4 0-40 and after looking finished he’s now Mario with a mushroom!

What are we even seeing? Evans is dominating physically now and two monstrous forehands make 0-30; remember he was 0-4 0-40 down. So Khachanov responds with an ace but a forehand approach is long, and Evans has two break-back points! I cannot believe what I’m typing! This is so, so good!

Goodness me! Evans saves break pint with a forehand winner, then sent out a wide to chase a high-bouncer, he spanks a winner down the line and into the corner! This is now the second-longest match in US Open history, five hours and 19 minutes – the athleticism and mentality it takes to do this is so far beyond our comprehension – and when Evans holds, the growing crowd show their appreciation. Great stuff.

Korda takes the first set off Moutet 7-6; De Minaur leads Giron 2-1 3-3; Sorribes Tormo has beaten Noel 6-1 6-3; Tauson has beaten Schmiedlova 1-6 7-6 6-2; and Evans and Khachanov are still charging about the court like you can’t believe, 30-all on the Evans serve. This has been – and still is – a mighty contest, exactly the kind you hope to see at this stage of a tournament while the favourites are winning easily on the show courts.

Surely not! Evans makes 0-30 with the help of a double, then races in for a putaway … and flicks his forehand long! No matter: Evans has dug deep into his soul and found strength from somewhere, quickly making 15-40 before unleashing a murderous forehand cross to snatch back a break! What a match this is, and suddenly Khachanov will be wondering ! He does, though, still lead 4-2 in the fifth.

Evans has so much moxie, coming back from 0-40 to deuce, the third of those points won via ace. He’s soon down advantage but he hangs in there and eventually holds. He’s not quite fully gone.

Evans has tired rapidly, and with good reason – he’s barely played in recent times and has done fantastically well to get to this point. But Khachanov consolidates a second time for a 4-0 fifth-set lead, and it’s hard to see how he loses from here.

Going around the courts, Medvedev now leads Lajovic 5-0 in the fourth, which is to say he’s almost home; De Minaur and Giron are on serve at 1-2 in the third, Demon by two sets to one; Fernandez and Potapova are about to start a decider; Pliskova and Sherif just have; Fils is serving for it against Tien, leading 2-1 5-2; and Cobolli leads Duckworth 4-1.

Evans scurries in to retrieve a drop, seems to hurt his toe in the process, and when Khachanov sticks a winner into the now-vacated court, he rests arm on net and head on arm for what seems like ages – he is exhausted. He does then make 30-all but is soon facing a point for a double-break, Khachanov looking to finish him, but cleverly playing in circumspect fashion because he knows Evans will soon force it and does, a backhand dropping long and wide. Khachanov leads 3-0 in the fifth and this feels extremely over.

Yet again, Evans gets into position to break back, but at 15-40 he nets a backhand … then can’t return a brutal serve. And from there, some ninja forehands from khachanov secure the hold; he leads 2-0 in the fifth.

Medvedev breaks Lajovic to lead 2-1 2-0; De Minaur leads Giron 6-3 6-4 5-7 1-1; Moutet and Korda are level at 5-5; Fils leads Tien 2-1 41 and he’s another youngster a very high ceiling; Sorribes Tormo leads Noel 6-1 4-1; and Tauson leads Schmiedlova 1-6 7-6 2-0.

Yeah, Evans looks quizzical; I don’t think he thinks this is an injury, and we’ve seen nothing to suggest he’s wrong. Nor is there any reason to think Khachanov is breaking any rule.

Khachanov takes an official timeout, his left thigh and knee area taking a massage. I wonder if he’s actually hurt, or if he fancies a rub-down will help him between now and the end here.

As he has in six of his last seven service-games, Evans finds himself break point down at 15-40. He saves the first when a return goes into the net, then a booming delivery means the same happens again. Ach, but then two errors and it’s all for nothing, Evans down a break at 1-0 in the fifth and annihilating his racket for its part in the upset. Oh, and Khachanov has some kind of irritation because he calls for the trainer.

Medvedev secures the third set against Lajovic to lead 6-3 3-6 6-3, and I must say I’m a little surprised he lost one because there’s no circumstance in which I can see him losing this match. Otherwise, Fils now leads Tien 6-4 3-6 6-1 1-1'; Van de Zandschulp has nearly sorted Shapovalov, up 6-4 7-5 2-0; Fernandez leads Potapova 6-2 3-4 down a break; Pliskova leads Sherif 6-3 0-3; and Cobolli, who’s going to be a player, leads Duckworth 1-0 with a break.

We were meant to knock this on the heed at 11, but obviously we’ll see this belter of a match out. It’s the longest one Evans has ever played; it’s far from the longest I’ve ever blogged, so yeah, who’s the athlete here eh?

Lovely from Evans, charging after a fine pick-up from Khachanov to make 15-30. He’s already broken back twice in this set but after a bit of corner-to-corner backhand-to-backhand, Khachanov coaxes one down the line for a winner then, when Evans finds a decent return, he nails the same shot when off balance, and this match has the decider it and we deserve. The players will be feeling it; thanks boys!

Evans nets, then down advantage, glides a slice – a shot that’s been so good to him today – into the top of the tape and the ball drops on his side. At 5-4 in the fourth, Khachanov will shortly serve for a decider.

Giron, a decent player and nasty first-round opponent, takes the third set 7-5 to trail De Minaur 2-1; Evans saves those three break points and, as we reach the four-hour mark, he looks strong.

Down 0-30, Khanchanov is in danger of going home, but he reels off four straight and quick points to stay in the hunt. Evans, by the way, is 4-0 in the head-to-head, reflecting the canniness that is again giving his more powerful but less deft opponent trouble. Though, as I type, Evans finds himself down 0-40, having now lost seven in a row…

Thanks Alex and yes indeed, I am well saunad – but didn’t have time for the cold plunge, so excuse any consequent bad mood. Evans leads Khachanov 4-3 in the fourth and looks the stronger man currently; Medvedev leads Lajovic 1-1 3-1; De Minauer leads Giron 6-4 6-4 5-5; and Fernandez leads Potapova 6-2 2-1.

As this mighty duel continues, Daniel Harris is back from his break – and possible sauna – to take over. He’ll guide you through this and all the stuff I cunningly missed. Thanks for reading.

Medvedev looks to put that poor second set, filled with unforced errors, behind him by zipping into a 2-0 lead in the third set against Lajovic. Evans and Khachanov are locked in another deuce, this time on the latter’s serve. It seems to be the constant state of play when they’re not in a tie-break. Evans has a break point … and he takes it with a forehand at the net after a dazzling rally! 3-3 in the fourth set.

De Minaur, having won the first two sets, is having to handle a Giron fightback in the third. The American is 4-2 up and battling against a straight-sets exit as the whole of the USA holds its breath … and possibly breathes again, as De Minaur breaks back to take this to to 4-3. Evans holds serve and is only 3-2 down in the fourth set of his battle of art and attrition with Khachanov.

Daniil Medvedev has lost the second set against Dusan Lajovic, the Serbian levelling the match against the No 5 seed via a 6-3 triumph. The 2021 champion here won the first set by that same score, but this is a match to keep an eye on.

Sinner doles out some pleasantries after his first career win on Arthur Ashe, admitting he has some room to improve. The questions are some of the softest deliveries you’ll get at this here US Open, but that’s to be expected. Elsewhere, Khachanov is 3-1 up in the fourth set against Evans, having just made the first service hold of this set. We’re heading toward the fifth hour of this epic!

Jannik Sinner is 5-1 up in the fourth set and just a game away from the next round. McDonald isn’t giving up despite staring defeat down the barrel and he holds to love to take this set to 5-2! Good hustle, as lots of Americans like to say (possibly). But of course now Sinner is serving for the match.

Khachanov v Evans is back on serve in the fourth set. Of course it is. How else do we get to the inevitable tie-break? Seriously though, this is a cracking and – clearly – evenly balanced match with both players putting in an incredible shift.

Elena Rybakina has gone into a tie-break in the second set against Destanee Aiava. The former Wimbledon champion won the opening set 6-1 but her Australian opponent has fought back well to take this set all the way. Meanwhile, Evans and Khachanov are back out – the latter taking the opening game of the fourth set, against serve. Are they not tempted to shake hands and just go straight to a tie-break? Is that even allowed? (A: no)

Alex de Minaur is making smooth progress so far against home hope Marcos Giron. The No 10 seed has just won the second set 6-4, having taken the first set 6-3. The Australian looks on course for victory after the heartbreak of that injury at Wimbledon costing him a quarter-final match.

Meanwhile on Arthur Ashe, Sinner breaks in the first game of the fourth set then races through his first service game to love. He’s 2-0 up, two sets to one up, and McDonald looks a touch disheartened, which is understandable.

Evans wins the third set. He takes it with his his first set point – via a deft backhand at the net to triumph in the tie-break 7-4. The Briton leads the match two sets to one against Khachanov.

Sinner has cruised through the third set, dropping only one game. He leads Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 and the world No 1 appears to have put his early wobble behind him. Meanwhile, a second serve ace from Dan Evans puts him 5-2 up in the tie-break.

Thanks Daniel. And it’s yet another Daniel who’s doing superbly here: Evans is 4-1 up in the third consecutive tie-break with Khachanov. He’s got the serve, too. But this match has swung back and forth so far … so you never know.

Righto, I’m off for a break and, if my wife returns in a timely manner, a sauna; Alex Reid is here to chill with you through the next hour.

Rybakina has broken Aiava in set two to lead 6-1 4-3, while Medvedev is up 5-3 on Lajovic and Evans is one point away from a third-set breaker against Khachanovm, up advantage at 6-7 7-6 5-6 … and here it comes!

Evans is now serving for a third-set breaker, an ace and a booming forehand and stretch-volley making 30-15. Meantime, McDonald finds himself down 0-30 to Sinner, nets a forehand, and the break follows, this match seemingly going only one way; the world number one leads 2-6 6-2 3-1.

Or not. McDonald holds easily, while Evans and Khachanov are 5-5 in the third. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Arthur Fils, the 20-year-old Frenchman who made round four at Wimbledon. I fancy him to do something here, and the draw is fairly kind; he leads Tien 5-2 in the first.

Yeah, it feels like McDonald’s time is up: Sinner sails through a love hold for 1-1 1-0, and I’d not be surprised were he to break next up. He’s serving better now, and I also think he’s used to the bounce, hitting it harder and flatter on the forehand.

Evans returns and we’re good to go again; Sinner breaks a second time in set two and levels his match with McDonald at 2-6 6-2. I said earlier he’s playing better now, and I’m not surprised it’s taken him time to get going after the week he’s had. However you assess what happened – and his treatment didn’t seem congruent with what might’ve happened to someone less august – his focus would have been impacted.

Rybakina takes the first set off Aiava 6-1; Lajovic leads Medvedev 3-2 on serve; De Minaur leads Giron 6-3 1-1; Kalinskaya leads Davis 6-2 3-1; Arnaldi leads Svajda 6-3 6-2 2-0; Fils leads Tien 4-0; and Evans and Khachanov are 1-1 4-4, but there’s an issue with a net support, not something I’ve ever seen before, and Evans bounds off to the bog while we await repair.

Sinner holds for 2-6 5-2 and I don’t think McDonald is doing anything different, he’s just not playing perfectly, while his opponent – who’s useful – has improved.

Also going on…

Khachanov breaks Evans back for 3-3 in the third, and this is intense, compelling stuff. Evans has the greater variety but Khachanov the better power; my sense is the latter will carry, but we shall see. On Ashe, by the way, McDonald – “Quick and solid. Smart player, has good changes of pace,” writes Coach Calv – now leads Sinner 6-2 2-4.

Down break point, McDonald goes for the hardest serve in the book, advantage court to the backhand, and misses; second go, he tries a diluted version of the same, Sinner hooks a forehand return, he lets it go … and it drops in! The world number one now leads 3-1 in the second and might the tide have turned?

We’re away again on Armstrong, Medvedev (5) taking on Lajovic; Rybakina leads Aiava 3-1; De Minaur is up 4-2 on Giron; Evans has just broken Khachanov to lead 1-1 3-1; and Zarazua has beaten Garcia 6-1 604, so meets Wozniacki next.

Evans consolidates to 15 while Sinner and McDonald battle through a long game … and eventually Sinner breaks back! How crucial will that be in the final analysis?

Have a look! Evans raises 0-40 and though Khachanov saves one break point, a lovely dipping backhand return asks a question his opponent can’t answer and he now leads 1-1 2-1!

On Grandtand, Rybakina is away and leads Alava 1-0; De Minaur leads Giron 3-1; Arnaldo (30) leads Zvajda 6-3 2-1 with a break; and Zarazua is serving for the match against Garcia.

My mouse stops working so I move devices. McDonald breaks Sinner for a 6-2 1-0 lead and is dominating – he might easily have won one of the games he didn’t – and after taking off most of spring to get fit, he’s playing beautifully here, dominating the world number one.

Brilliant from Evans, who sees out the breaker 7-2! He’s playing better than in so long and he and Khachanov are level at a set apiece.

McDonald breaks sinner again and will now serve for the first set at 5-2! I think this is the best i’ve seen him play – he’s running down everything, and also, as our co-comms notes, seems to just like Sinner’s pace. He holds to love, leads 6-2, and the world number one – who’s had a tricky week – is under pressure. Meantime, Evans leads Khachanov 4-2 in their second-set breaker.

Sinner broke McDonald back only to be broken again; he trails 2-4 and I’m now watching that match while also checking Evans v Khachanov. They’re just about to play a second-set breaker.

Kokkinaks is, er, stoked. He thanks the crowd for their contribution and notes that he lost a lot of his career to injury but he’s confident in his body now and trusts he can beat anyone on a good day. He’s a bit embarrassed to have flopped to his back after a first-round match – “overkill” he says – but he’s so happy, and that’s lovely to see.

A forehand cross to the corner and Tsitsipas looks to respond in kind … but goes wide! Two match points to the Aussie!

Kokkinakis makes 30-15 and is two points away from ejecting the number 11 seed…

Evans runs around his forehand on Khachanov’s second serve and it’s enough to take control of the point; he breaks for 6-7 5-5, and this match is still well in the balance.

Hello! Kokkinakis makes 30-40 and when he lands another decent return, Tsitsipas wallops long! The Aussie will shortly serve for the match at 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-5, while Evans has three break-back points against Khachanov.

Evans is still playing well but he guides a backhand into the top of the net and now trails 6-7 4-5, Khachanov soon to serve for the second set. Meantime, Kokkinakis secures his hold for 5-5 in set three; if he can manage one more, he’ll have the chance to win the match via tiebreak – at the least, because Tsitsipas is now serving at 30-all.

Tsitsipas holds for a 5-4 third-set lead, but Kokkinakis has served well today and will expect himself to avoid getting broken. Elsewhere, Mannarino leads Coric 7-5 5-2 and McDonald is up on Sinner 2-1 with a break.

Now then! Ostapenkz has been much more consistent in recent times, but I guess it’s not easy to bang with Osaka who, if she’s on, is as good at it as anyone. And she now leads 6-3 2-0; the Latvian is in trouble.

Sky have, of course, replaced Draper with Evans v Khachanov; the latter leads 7-6 3-4, but the Brit is playing the best match I’ve seen from him in a long while.

Osaka serves out to lead Ostapenkz 6-3; Tsitsipas and Kokkinakis are 3-3 in the third; and Sinner is still fighting for his first-game hold against McDonald.

Yup, Draper gets his third-set break, but Zhang stays out there. Evans, meanwhile, is level with Khachanov at 2-2 in the second, having lost the first after serving for it at leading 40-0. Andreeva leads Osorio 6-2 3-2 with a break, Osaka leads Ostapenkz 5-3 and Sinner has been forced to deuce by McDonald in the first game of their match.

…but Tsitsipas secures his hold. Otherwise, we’re on serve in all our current matches – though Draper looks set to break Zhang leading 6-3 6-0 1-0 and I wonder whether, if he does, that’ll be the end.

Draper seals a bagel and now leads Zhang 6-3 6-0. Zhang isn’t moving well at all and I’d not be surprised to see him call it at some point. Meantime, Tsitsipas finds himself facing break point when down 2-1 2-2 to Kokkinakis…

Goodness me!

On Ashe, Jannik Sinner (1) and Mackenzie McDonald emerge to knock up.

Zhang calls the trainer when down 3-6 0-5; Tsitsipas does likewise when down 6-7 6-4 3-6 2-2.

I’d love to be watching Ostapenko v Osaka but I’m sadly limited by what’s on telly; the latter leads 2-1, on serve, in the first. Meantime, Wozniacki has bagelled Hibino to lead 6-0, Mirra Andreeva (21), leads Camila Osorio 6-2 2-0 and Otto Virtanen leads Quentin Halys 6-3 6-3 5-4.

Ah yes, while all the screen aggro was going on, Khachanov took the first-set breaker off Evans and leads 7-6(6) 1-1.

OK, we’re back to two screens – I’ve got Tsitsipas 6-7 6-4 3-6 1-1 Kokkinakis on again.

I’m afraid I’m down to one screen as Sky have, for some reason, got football on channels that are meant to have tennis – at least when accessed through a computer. So I’m watching Jack Draper, who’s playing well in leading Zhang 6-3 2-0.

Swiatek has match point against Rakhimova at 7-6 in their second-set breaker…

Khachanov breaks Evans back, but my coverage runs out when they move to the football on Sky, so I’m now trying to resolve that. The Brit leads 3-1 in the breaker while Kokkinakis serves out and leads Tsiotsipas 7-6 4-6 6-3!

Kokkinakis changes the flow of a rally with a fine lob, Tsitsipas runs it down, gets behind it … and sends his forehand riposte long. Advantage to the Aussie, he presses it home, and he’ll now serve for the third srt and a 2-1 lead!

Kokkinakis saves a break point and holds to lead Tsitsipas 4-3 in the third, while Evans hoists a wondrous lob then breaks Khachanov for 6-5in the first; he’ll shortly serve for the first set.

On Mensik, by the way, Coach Calv returns with some gen: “He’s just a very complete player. Very talented. Not a standard Eastern European by any stretch – they tend to hit huge but have no hands, but he has power and touch.”

Just when it looks like curtains for Collins’ grand slam career, she breaks Dolehide back for 4-5 in the third; Draper and Zhang are 2-2 in the first.

Great news! Martina had her annual check-up yesterday and she’s still good. I’m biased – she was one of my first sporting heroes – but I love her.

Khachanov and Evnas are on serve in set one, the former up 4-3 – I’ll try and give them some time now, to see how the match is going. Elsewhere, Rakhimova has broken Swiatek, who was serving for the match, to trail 4-6 5-5, Dolehide leads Collins 5-3 in the third, Tsitsipas and Kokkinakis are 1-1 2-2 and Fognini leads Mahac 7-5 6-1

Boulter says that Sasnovich has been top 30 and “knows how to play tennis”. She’s really proud of how she responded to going behind, says the court and balls felt very fast today, and she’s glad she adopted quickly. Now, though, she’s got to stretch and such, in order to watch Alex de Minaur, her boyfriend – he meets Marcus Giron on the same court – but after Wozniacki v Hibino.

Yup, Boulter breaks again in short order, and is now serving for the match at 5-7 6-2 5-1.

Draper and Zhang are on court about to start knocking up; hopefully Boulter finishes off in the time it takes for them to get ready.

Sasnovich burns a break-back point – her fifth chance of the set to take the Boulter serve – and a wild forehand, swept wide, ruins the return that gave her the chance to hit it. From there, Boulter closes out, and she leads 4-1 in the third.

A double from Sasnovich and Boulter leads 3-1 in the third, the sense throughout the match that she’d do enough to get it done. Oh, and following Mensik v Auger-Aliassime on Court 5 it’s Zhang Zhizhen v Jack Draper (25).

Tsitsipas holds to level at one set apiece with Kokkinakis, but this remains a proper contest; Mahac leads Fognini 7-5 1-0, Tabilo is serving for the third set against Goffin having lost the first two, and Boulter leads Sasnovich 2-1 on serve in the third.

Tistsipas breaks Kokkinakis and at 6-7 5-4 will now serve for 1-1.

“Evans is 4-0 H2H,” returns Coach Calv. “But I just can’t see anyway he beats Khachanov based on form. But Khachanov isn’t skilful at all, that’s why Evans causes him issues.”

Yup, hands of stone, that lad. And Evans does have some finesse, so you never know. Oh and whaddaya kna, Boulter hangs in there to hold; she leads Sasnovich 1-0 in the third.

A long, long game to open set three on Stadium 17, Boulter fighting hard to hold. Elsewhere, Kokkinakis leads Tistsipas 7-6 4-3, Mesik leads Auger-Aliassime 6-2 6-4 5-2, Mahac leads Fognini 6-5, Goffin leads Tabillo 7-6 6-1 3-2 with a break and Kurkacz leads Skatov 6-3 7-6 1-0.

Sky have swapped Collins v Dolehide for Evans v Khachanov; I’ll accept that, I guess.

Collins, playing her final major, clearly wants to make the most of it. She saves one set point with a tremendous forehand, but when another drops long, Dolehide levels the match at 1-6 7-5; eyes down for a decider.

Sasnovich is taking her kit-change time, disappearing from court after losing set two – about 10 minutes ago. I’m thinking about one myself, it’s hot here.

Swiatek holds for a 6-4 set against Rakhimova, who’s improving, while Collins must now serve to stay in set two, leading Dolehide 6-1 5-6. Mensik has broken Auger-Aliassime to leads 6-2 6-4 3-1 and Kokkinakis leads Tsitsipas 7-6 3-2.

Next on Court 6: Dan Evans v Karen Khachanov (23).

Boulter is right on top against Sasnovich now, securing a 6-2 second set to force a decider; Collins leads Dolehide 6-1 4-5; Kokkinakis leads Tsitsipas 7-6 2-2; and Swiatek, who was up 4-0, now leads Rakhimova 5-4 and will shortly serve for the first set.

Volynets broke Muchova back with the latter serving for the match – for all the good it did her. She was broken again herself immediately, so Muchova is again trying to close it out, up 6-3 6-5. Otherwise, Hurkacz, up 6-3 on Skatov, is playing a second-set breaker, Thompson leads Lestienne 6-1 5-3 2-1 with a break, Mahac leads Fognini 4-2 and Goffin leads Tabilo 7-6 6-1.

Auger-Aliassime is another, I regret to say, who can’t be trusted to support his athletic ability with necessary solidity. He’s broken by Mensik when serving to stay in the set and the Czech now leads 6-2 6-4.

It’s well, well hot out there – which is why, I imagine, Sasnovich is dressed as she is. I’d not be surprised to see some retirements later today, but in the meantime she leads Boiulter 7-5 1-4.

It’s not been a good couple of years for Tsitsipas, and he quickly returns the break he took last game, thrashing a forehand long when down 30-40; he trails Kokkinakis 6-7 1-1. Otherwise, Muchova is serving for the match leading Volynets 6-3 5-4, Goffin leads Tabilo 7-6 4-1, Dolehide has broken Collins back to trail 1-6 4-3, Swiatek leads Rakhimova 4-2 and Auger-Aliassime is serving down 2-6 4-5 to Mensik.

Boulter consolidates to trail 5-7 3-0, while Tsitsipas, down 6-7, breaks in the first game of set two and from here, will hope to impose his extra power and class.

We did the men’s so now let’s wonder who might win the women’s. Swiatek, 3-0 up on Rakhimova, doesn’t love it when the ball bounces higher; on the other hand, that suits Sabalenka down to the ground, and though I didn’t expect Coco Gauff to beat her in last year’s final, I’d be surprised if that happened again because I feel like she’s improved more than any of the other contenders.

Boulter breaks Sasnovich to trail 5-7 2-0 and Colins does likewise to Dolehide, leading 6-1 3-2; I daresay this match will soon be over.

Having been a break down, the evergreen and nails David Goffin takes the first set off Tabilo 7-6(7); a succession of errors from Tsitsipas mean he trails Kokkinakis 1-6 in the first-set breaker, he makes 5-6 and has serve … then a big forehand from the Aussie incites him to net one of his own! The number 10 seed trails 6-7!

Kokkinakis holds for 6-6 and arranges an immediate mini-break, consolidating with an ace. I’d still expect Tsitsipas to outlast him in the set, but he’s raising the pressure – a second ace means he’s up 3-0.

Sasnovich serves out to 15 for a 7-5 first set and Boulter has work to do – she’s hitting some decent shots but not with any consistency. Meantime Swiatek, the 2021 champ, is out on court knocking up with Rakhimova.

Boulter has only got in 45% of first serves – versus 74% for Sasnovich – and after a tussle on deuce, she’s broken for a third time. After a little sit-down, the qualifier will serve for the first set at 6-5.

At 30-all Boulter ups the pace on a forehand cross and Sasnovich nets in response; down break point, the pressure gets on top and a further error means we’re back on serve at 5-5 in the first.

Boulter holds, forcing Sasnovich to serve for the first set at 5-4. And on Armstrong, Dolehide has made a better start to set two than set one, now trailing Collins 6-1 1-2.

Mensik has taken the first set off Auger-Aliassime 6-2 and Hurkacz leads Skatov 6-3; Sasnovich consolidates and Boulter must now serve to stay in set one at 3-5. Meantime on Armstrong, Kokkinakis is up 4-3 … but as I type, he tosses his break, two doubles the a netted forehand on advantage presenting Tsitsipas with the game that takes him to 4-4.

Having qualified, Sasnovich is in form – to reach this stage she’s already won three matches – and isn’t letting Boulter have her way, breaking for 4-3. There’s something of Jo Durie in the way that she serves, but so far her idiosyncratic action is just about holding up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8klDoi1AcSw

In comms, they note that it’d help Tsitsipas if he could sort himself a proper backhand slice, and it is kind of weird how little he’s improved on that wing – especially given he had a whole lockdown during which to work on it. Anyroad, he secures a tough hold from 30-all with a forehand winner down the line, while Collins leads Dolehide 6-1, it’s Mensik 5-2 Auger-Aliassime, Thompson 6-1 Lestienne, Hurkacz 5-2 Skatov and Muchova 6-3 Volynets.

Boulter raises break point and takes control of the next rally, running around her forehand to hit to the corner … only to stick another into the net before blazing wide after raising a further advantage. And from there, helped by a terrific high-kicking ace, Sasnovich secures the hold for 3-3.

So who do we think is going to win here? If Carlos Alcaraz takes the men’s title, he’ll be an Aussie Open away from a grand slam, but is Novak Djokovic back? His performance in the Olympic final was sensational and he’s made a career out of confounding us, but it might be he dredged one last effort out of him to make sure he didn’t finish his career without a gold medal. Or it might be that, yet again, he’s found himself – and if he has, it’ll take something major to stop him. Of course Alcaraz – and Sinner, and perhaps Zverev – are exactly that, so if it happens it won’t be any kind of breeze. I, though, am going to stick my neck out and predict a win for Andrew Barron Murray Alcaraz.

Kokkinakis has only won two matches in New York but he consolidates his break and now leads 2-1, but Sasnovich has retrieved the one of which Boult relieved her and it’s now 2-2 in the first. Elsewhere, Tabilo (22) leads Goffin 3-1, Muchova – a favourite of this blog – is up 4-1 on Voylnets, and Mensik leads Auger-Aliassime 3-1.

A fine, muscular start from Boulter, who leads Sasnovich 2-0, while Collins is 2-0 up on Dolehide. Is it just me who sings her name to this banger? Surely not? Oh come on.

And he cannot. Kokkinakis breaks for 1-0, and Calv Betton, our resident coach and now a Wimbledon champ in the men’s doubles, messages as follows: “As always with Tsitsipas it will depend of his opponent can nail his poor backhand. He probably still wins though coz Kokkinakis is a choker, though he likes to make out that he’s everything but. He loses almost every close match.”

Immediately, Kokkinakis gets himself two break points; Tsitsipas saves the first with a service winner, then the second, but a forehand into the net means he must save a third…

And away we go!

I AM WRONG.We can pick matches, so I’ve got Tsitspias v Kokkinakis on my phone and am waiting to see what’s on the two main channels. Ah, it’s Boulter v Sasnovich on one and Collins v Dolehide on the other; I’d not be picking the second of those, but you can only choose your match if using the app on your phone or an iPad and I’ve not got the latter.

We’re away everywhere but Ashe any minute now. I don’t think I’ve access to every match – I just need to watch what they stick on. I was hoping to get on Paolini (5) v Andreescu and Tsitsipas (11) v Kokkinakis, but my guess is that Boulter (31) v Sasnovich will be on one of the two channels.

I apologise, please forgive me. I forgot to note that Jasmie Paolini, seeded five these days, is playing first up – against Bianca Andreescu, the 2021 champ here. OK, not here, I’m in a north London box room, so there.